Many are interested in the Afghan endgame but no one has more at stake than the regional players. This is all the more important now that the US has specified its pullout plan. Terrorism is a thorn in the flesh not only for the US but also for Afghanistan, Pakistan and others. Prudence requires a solution mutually agreeable and long lasting, which seems elusive every time the stakeholders meet up.
It’s not all dark and gloomy though. A move forward can be seen in the trilateral dialogue between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran where an “indigenous solution” by finding “ways of battling terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking” has been stressed. If this translates into reality, the region would see enhanced cooperation, stability and trade – key factors for progress and development. Afghanistan, being landlocked, could benefit from the Iranian and Pakistani sea and land routes. Pakistan could reach resource rich Central Asian states, offering them a transit trade route. Iran could access vast markets in South Asia for its oil and gas reserves with projects like IPI.
The prospects are many and achievable but there is a catch. Eliminating terrorism, though a joint goal for all, is not going to be easy. Dialogue is a necessity as is evident by Hillary Clinton’s statement that talks with Taliban are “not a pleasant business, but a necessary one”. In this context, the US’ willingness to engage Iran in the dialogue process seems like a silver lining. Even the regional organisation, SCO, has recently announced its support for the anti-terrorism efforts.
President Zardari has reiterated that terrorism must be defeated at any cost, a view fully backed by the participants though a divergence of interests is a given when this many players are involved. What remains to be seen is the way the regional players formulate a strategy to end “foreign interference… as it is against the peaceful cultural traditions and peoples’ interests”. No one would like a repeat of the last Afghan endgame. A region marred with terrorism, instability and a host of other social issues cannot but be careful of the path it chooses for itself to get out of this quagmire.