NATIONAL Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz’s visit to Kabul was not expected to produce any breakthroughs — and that is what appears to have happened. Yet, these meetings are important in that they help both sides address issues face-to-face and there is surely a need for a great deal of frank and open discussion between the Pakistani and Afghan governments at the moment. What is worrying though is that President Ashraf Ghani still continues to publicly jibe at Pakistan. While that may improve Mr Ghani’s standing at home, it may end up hardening the Pakistani position when it comes to dealing with his government. The two country’s security fates remain very much intertwined. As has become apparent, the military operations in Fata, particularly Zarb-i-Azb, dislodged militants from the Pakistani side of the border, but in many cases caused them to move to the Afghan side. At least in part, the surge in militant violence in Afghanistan over the past year is linked to that phenomenon. As for Pakistan, the sanctuary that anti-Pakistan, TTP militants have found in Afghanistan will likely be a source of long-term trouble. If Afghanistan and Pakistan do not cooperate, both will hurt. This is something they must understand.

More confusing though is quite where the possibility of a resumption of talks between the Afghan Taliban and Kabul stands. Is it simply that talks cannot resume because of intra-Taliban trouble or is that the Afghan government is also baulking at talks resuming at the earliest, perhaps in a fit of pique because of the spate of attacks in Kabul? President Ghani needs to reassess his position on talks soon. As has now been proved, Pakistan can and will nudge the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table — but surely only if there is a willing negotiating partner on the other side of the table. It may not make sense to Pakistani policymakers to expend capital with the Taliban insisting that they remain open to talks immediately if Kabul itself is not ready to resume dialogue right away. Yet, Pakistan should also understand the core of Mr Ghani’s complaint — he cannot be seen to be trying to make peace with the Taliban if they are violently attacking Kabul. Perhaps a fresh round of border management steps and improved intelligence coordination could go some way in restoring trust. The two states have several options to help stabilise ties quickly.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015

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