Pakistan and Afghanistan: critical divides |
For Pakistan, a stable Afghanistan is essential. The two neighbours, tied by longstanding history and geography, have to choose between cooperation (which brings stability) or suspicion (which keeps both sides unsettled). Pakistan's main worry is the presence of militant groups on Afghan soil, especially the banned TTP and Balochistan-based outfits allegedly backed by India. Despite the security worries, Pakistan's recent active engagement vis-à-vis Afghanistan suggest that cooperation must not be lost to mistrust.
In Kabul, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi sat down with his Afghan counterpart Sirajuddin Haqqani to press for closer cooperation against militant groups, stronger border controls and steps to stem drug trafficking. The meeting came as both countries look for ways to place their relations on steadier ground. The Joint Coordination Committee has been brought back, and ambassadors have returned to their posts, showing a clear intent to rebuild regular channels of cooperation.
Trade has also........