OPINION Vol.1, No.1 June 2013 - National Defence University

Saudi Arabia
Saudi interests in Afghanistan include; countering Iranian influences in Afghanistan;
strengthening pro Saudi Sunni factions in Afghanistan; eliminating the threats of terrorism and
extremism; control of narcotic drugs and trans-border crimes flowing out of Afghanistan. Saudi Arabia
has the capability to play a constructive role in facilitating Afghan consensus on an acceptable
dispensation in Kabul. Saudi Arabia is likely to support the US led transition.
India
Pakistan
Indian interests in Afghanistan include:-
Gradually regain its influence in Kabul to the level that existed prior to the 1979 Soviet invasion
and take it to even higher levels, primarily to enhance its leverage in Afghanistan vis-à-vis
Pakistan.
Help strengthen and bring to power the pro-India and anti-Pakistan factions.
Build an intelligence network in Afghanistan to foment trouble in Balochistan, FATA and other
parts of Pakistan and build an image of a benign and friendly power.
Eliminate the scope of “militant support” for the Kashmiri freedom fighters through eliminating
“the sanctuaries” in Afghanistan.
Establish transit and trade links and energy corridors with the CARs via Iran and Afghanistan.
Minimize “Afghan dependence on Pakistan” while enhancing its “partnership” with India.
The time apparently looks propitious for India to push for its interests and objectives in
Afghanistan, but it may still be premature for India to play any effective role in Afghanistan for
the following reasons:
Any military role for India would be available only at the cost of losing Pakistan’s
support, which would not be a worthwhile option.
India itself would be reluctant to commit military forces knowing that any country
committing military foot-print in Afghanistan earns the hatred of the Afghan people and
at the end leaves with a bloody nose.
India cannot play any meaningful role in the reconciliation process which is between the
US and the Taliban factions. India enjoys limited clout with the Karzai government and
the non-Pashtun factions previously part of the Northern Alliance with whom the US
itself enjoys far stronger clout.
Pakistan’s main interests in Afghanistan at the present juncture may be summarized as follows:-
Restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Elimination of terrorism and extremism.
Preventing use of Afghan soil by terrorists against Pakistan and other countries.
Preventing hostile/Indian military foot print in Afghanistan threatening Pakistan’s security.
Peaceful and secure borders with Afghanistan.
Security of transit/trade routes and energy corridors passing through Afghanistan.
Repatriation of Afghan Refugees.
Multifaceted cooperation with Afghanistan at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
Pakistan’s role will remain crucial in the post 2014 scenario. On its own and in concert with
other stake holders, Pakistan would do its utmost to facilitate an orderly and smooth transition in 2014 for
the earliest restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan which is a necessary precondition for the
realization of its vital interests. 15
OPINION Vol.1 No.1 84 June 2013