Tensions Between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India’s Strategic Maneuvers

The tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated in recent months due to a combination of cross-border militant activity, military operations, and diplomatic strains.

India’s relationship with Afghanistan stands out as a significant aspect of India’s foreign policy. India is leveraging the strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan to strengthen its ties with the Afghan Taliban, with the strategic aim of countering Pakistan—India dreams of ceasing Pakistan’s strategic importance and disturbing its ties with neighboring countries. Historically, India made significant investments in Afghanistan during Hamid Karzai’s and Ashraf Ghani’s tenures, pouring billions of dollars into infrastructure, economic development, and defense projects. At the time, India maintained the most significant number of consulates in the country, which, according to some reports, were also used by Indian intelligence agencies to pursue activities against Pakistan. Now, when the Taliban came to power, India still took an interest in maintaining a cordial relationship with the Taliban to defame Pakistan’s narrative in the region.

There is an adage in International Relations that states that “States decide their relations by heart, not by mind.” This statement illustrates that the state can do anything for its interest; they adopt the strategy of “The enemy of my enemy is my best friend,” shaking hands with the Taliban government meant to make a conspiracy against Pakistan. In recent months, Pakistan has experienced a surge in major security incidents, including the Jaffar Express attack, clashes at Torkham, and violence in Waziristan. This rise in militancy is primarily attributed to the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan and India’s growing strategic interests in the region. Pakistan officials addressed in the UN Office of Counter-terrorism that Pakistan possessed “credible evidence establishing that the attack on the Jaffar Express passenger train was externally sponsored by its regional adversaries. Besides that, Pakistan has captured several RAW agents involved in espionage and subversive activities, further fueling concerns over India’s covert operations within the country. One of the most prominent is Kulbhushan Jadhav, whose case is currently under legal proceedings and has drawn international attention.  Conversely, the foreign minister Jaishanker addressed Charotar University of Science and Technology in Gujarat. He exaggerated that the decline in the Indo-Pak relationship occurred because of the Mumbai Attack in 2008; he further explained that Indian public reactions show that Pakistan has always been involved in Indian internal security.

Jaishanker also highlighted the key points of involving Pakistan in the Mumbai attack and building a hateful mindset of youths against Pakistan. India has always relied on face-saving strategies to mislead its public. History witnessed that the Indian government has been accused of orchestrating a false flag operation against Pakistan in order to discredit its positive narratives in the region and abroad. Both Pathankot and Pahalgam attacks are a few examples that have blamed Pakistan without presenting any evidence. Modi’s government has always believed in the anti-Pakistan narrative to mislead its public in every election. Its long-running campaign through disinformation, propaganda, and destabilizing by blaming Pakistan as the second home of terrorism, though he forgets what India is doing with its minorities. This offensive strategy has now turned India into a Strategic Strike against Pakistan to tarnish Pakistan’s image and show the world that Pakistan is a haven for terrorists. However, it has backfired on itself. Such false propaganda has not only raised serious questions about India’s role in the region but also blamed her as a state of Hindutva rather than a secular state. There is a well-known adage in international relations that suggests that “If they don’t find evidence, they will make you criminal.” this is a quote that perfectly reflects India’s strategy of scapegoating Pakistan. India has repeatedly engaged in digital propaganda to resort to false narratives, distorting facts, and baseless accusations. In the Pahalgam attack, no credible evidence was found; it is clear that India seeks to divert attention from its internal failures in Kashmir. Secondly, it is essential to escalate tensions and disrupt peace in the region, even if it means sacrificing truth and diplomacy. India screams victimhood every time there’s a blast in Kashmir, instantly blaming Pakistan, yet forgets that Pakistan bleeds daily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. As close neighbors, Pakistan and India should prioritize regional trade and cooperation over destabilizing each other. The people of all three countries are grappling with poverty, and they must come together to foster mutual understanding and transform the region into a thriving economic hub.