Afghanistan and Pakistan inching towards greater cooperation
For decades the hyphenated RAW-KHAD entity was presented in Pakistan as the principal enemy of the country. With Karazi in power and the National Directorate of Security (NDS) replacing KHAD, the perception was further strengthened. After President Ghani assumed the leadership both sides took measures to improve the relations between the two countries. These included an exchange of visits between the top civil and military leadership of the two countries. For the first time a batch of Afghan cadets arrived for training in the Kakul Military Academy while the Afghan defence forces’ chief was the chief guest at the PMA passing out parade. The latest development which could be crucial is an accord between the ISI and NDS to cooperate in the ongoing war against the terrorists on both sides of the border. This is indicative of a realisation in the leadership of the two countries that the existential fight cannot be won without joining hands.
The opposition to the accord in both the Houses of Afghan Parliament from a number of legislators is indicative of the depth of mistrust still prevailing among the Afghan political circles. Among other things which have contributed to the hostility is the policy of seeking strategic depth in Afghanistan. Many on the other side of the Pak-Afghan border are still not convinced about Pakistan army and its security agencies having abandoned the policy.
The positive developments in Pak-Afghan ties were initiated after President Ghani was sworn in eight months back. It will need a lot of care and sensitivity to remove the doubts and suspicions in Afghanistan which have accumulated over decades. What is needed is to open not only the military institutions for the Afghan cadets but also reserve seats for the Afghan students in educational institutions, increase cultural exchanges and people to people contacts. What needs to be realised is that the Afghan government’s desire to have the Wagah border opened for inter-regional trade cannot be ignored for long.
