E-Paper | June 14, 2026

Afghanistan, India nexus & Pakistan

From the Newspaper Published May 24, 2013
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THIS is apropos of a news item, ‘Karzai seeks Indian military aid amid tensions with Pakistan’ (May 20). The details of the news is very alarming from Pakistan’s viewpoint.

It is a pity that Afghanistan is looking towards India for military training and supply of arms only to be used against Pakistan. This is because our diplomacy has failed.

Afghanistan and Pakistan have a shared history, culture, language, ethno-religious similarity, and geographical contiguity. Everything is in our favour, yet we are far from winning the hearts and minds of our Afghan brothers.

Anything military, they can get from Pakistan. Afghanistan shares a large border with Pakistan. If they join our military academies/institutions, they will feel more at home.

Many Afghans are already studying in our universities. In Indian academies, they must be feeling at a loss. To say that it won’t hurt Pakistan is too simplistic an approach.

India giving all types of military aid to Afghanistan is going to vitiate the atmosphere beyond any shadow of doubt.

It should not be taken lightly at any cost by Pakistan. Pakistan should not only grudge but denounce all such moves by India.

SAFIR A. SIDDIQUI Karachi

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M. Siddique USA
May 24, 2013 01:46pm
Pakistan did not send Soviet troops to Afghanistan. Remember Pakistan accepted over 3 million Afghans as refugees. That is when a fighting force was formed with arms from US and fighter from Afghanistan and many Muslim countries to kick Soviets out. At the end of the day they did and then afghan leadership made a mess and people with guns took control of the country. Afghans need to take care of their own rulers. Also remember, when Soviets occupied Afghanistan India supported the Soviets. India will never be sincere with Afghans. Pakistan still hosts millions of Afghans. Yes, Karzai went to India which everyone else was in Pakistan. perhaps when Karzai's sun sets he can go to India to retire. Lets keep it that way.
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M. Siddique USA
May 24, 2013 01:39pm
Remember is not a land locked country whereas Afghanistan has no routes to sea except through Pakistan. Moreover, Pakistan will never allow India have any presence in Afghanistan.
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BZ
May 24, 2013 12:31pm
Afghanistan is not Pakistani's slave or colony! Only common thing is religion. STOP thinking it is your backyard. Your military should change it's mindset immediately for the future of Afghanistan and Pakistan! This may help.
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Ram Narayanan
May 24, 2013 12:55pm
The Afgans have realized that Pakistan is a rapidly failing state, so why should they gamble on Pakistan? India has the experience, the economic, and the political power to help Afghanistan before Pakistan's masters (i.e.. China) get into the game to do more mischief.
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vijay
May 24, 2013 12:52pm
Same is true for Pakistan
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M. Siddique USA
May 24, 2013 01:37pm
Pakistan will do what is in its interest that is to keep India out of Afghanistan.
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M. Siddique USA
May 24, 2013 01:36pm
Of course every country has the right to make alliances but Nexus is a word which depicts anti someone. It won't happen. India will never be allowed to use Afghan territory against Pakistan. You think rationally. Moreover, Karzai does not speak for majority of Afghans. Afghans PEOPLE have always been friendly to Pakistani PEOPLE and will remain so. Karzai is trying to leave a phony legacy.
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Amir Dozai
May 24, 2013 08:02am
Afghanistan trusted Pakistan before and Pakistan gave them the Taliban and the Al Qaeda. Why will Afghans trust Pakistan again?
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ravi india
May 24, 2013 08:21am
Pakistn will end up arming both the sides. The AFGHANS AND THE TALIBAN. First set ur priorities right. Whom do u wish to support.
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Guru
May 24, 2013 08:52am
If Pak can cosy up to China, why not Af to India? After all 'enemy's enemy is my friend' is valid for all.
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Dr Khan
May 24, 2013 09:01am
Afghanistan is a sovereign country. Afghans have every right to do what they think is in their interest. If Pakistan has the right to form a nexus with china, saudi arabia etc then afghanistan has the same right. Afghanistan does not look towards us for military help because we always supported a "specific group" instead of whole afghan nation. Our land is still being used against afghanistan. It is a pity that we still consider afghanistan as our province. It is time we don,t meddle in the internal affairs of others, only then we will have the right to complain.
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markk
May 24, 2013 09:28am
Afghans can decide their own fate. They don't need your advice. Learn to manage your own country first - before going out to "help" others.
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safi
May 24, 2013 09:29am
Pakistan has never been sincere with Afghanistan, specially for the last about 35 years has created hurdles for Afghanistan. Pakistan's continuous involvement and interfering in Afghanistan's internal affairs has disappointed and frustrated all Afghans. As per as relation is concern with other countries, so Afghanistan is a free and independent country and has the right of having friendly and strategic relations with any country of the world. When Pakistan can have relations with China and USA in the same time why should not Afghanistan..
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Shah
May 24, 2013 10:07am
Dr Khan, where have you been living for the last 12 years? Afghanistan is neither Sovereign nor is it a country as the word is understood in English. It is a territory at best.
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Shah
May 24, 2013 10:18am
As Chuck Hagel have said: "India is using Afghan soil in anti-Pakistani activities". This is nothing new. They did the same back in the 80's. I agree With Siddiqui that we must do what ever we can to check Indian influence in Our backyard.
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Dr Hemant Junnarkar
May 24, 2013 10:26am
Although Afghanistan has sought help from India, I do not think India will agree to this. Good relationship with Pakistan has always been the prime item on India's agenda, though Pakistan has always made alliance with China to India's displeasure.
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Alexander
May 24, 2013 10:53am
You nailed it!!
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Hulegu
May 24, 2013 11:59am
lol
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Kamal
May 24, 2013 12:17pm
Afghanistan is a COUNTRY as per UN body. Get your facts right before commenting please. Kamal
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Kamal
May 24, 2013 12:20pm
Be civilized and then others will trust you. You can not have state sponsored terrorism and expect civilian authorities to believe you. Thanks kamal
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zzzz
May 24, 2013 02:36pm
The same can be said for Pakistan..
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zzzz
May 24, 2013 02:37pm
"It should not be taken lightly at any cost by Pakistan. Pakistan should not only grudge but denounce all such moves by India." ...and who would care if Pakistan has a grudge?
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deep
May 24, 2013 02:57pm
Pakistan has supported and is supporting Taliban in Afghanistan from day one and it has made the Afghanistan a war torn county for its own selfish needs i.e to avenge india....now pakistan is getting dose of its own medicine, trying to be nice towards Afganistan now won't help its pay back time and more over who cares for a failed state Pakistan.....
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Akki
May 24, 2013 03:01pm
The editor didn't mention, what kind of military support India is giving to Afghanistan till now.
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Shri
May 24, 2013 03:02pm
Great to know such thoughts of Pakistanis towards Afganistan. It only reinforce my view that Pakistanis have no respect whatsoever for sovereignty of Afganistan, the only neigbhour which is weaker than it. Pakistanis are not tired of talking of rules, ethics, laws and what not when they deal with powerful countries but are themselves so utterly ruthless and unreasonable when it comes to a weak and vulnerable Afganistan. Why should Pakistan be running Afganistan's affairs ???? Any country can raise the bogey of "it affects us" and try to control neigbhours.
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HNY2013
May 24, 2013 03:26pm
The Af-Pak friendship has existed since ages (read before 1947). Remember history books ....Sindh and Hind? Look inwards .....and find reasons why your neighbor does not trust you.
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bhupal
May 24, 2013 03:33pm
This is also 'true' ! : India and Pakistan have a shared history, culture, language, ethno-religious similarity, and geographical contiguity
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Nasir
May 24, 2013 03:44pm
So I am going to take a gander at this, only few percent of population want to cozy up with India, rest don't care. This few percent are the ruling majority. Pakistan, in my opinion, would love to see independent Afghanistan, without the influence of neighboring country.
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Jawed
May 24, 2013 04:59pm
Today's attack in Kabul is one of the gifts from Pakistan to Afghanistan who have good relation with India instead of Pakistan.
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caz
May 24, 2013 05:46pm
Lets see the facts: India has a tradition of excellent relations with Afghanistan. India has provided immense aid to Afghanistan over the decades. It has educated and trained students and professionals from Afghanistan. It has and continues to help develop infrastructure in Afghanistan. India must pursue its interests in Afghanistan. Pakistan has usurped Afghan territory. The Durand Line is not the border recognised by Afghanistan. Land upto the River Attock, including N&S Waziristan are historically part of Afghanistan. Hence, there is a dispute between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
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raja hindustani
May 24, 2013 06:19pm
When Pakistan get military aid from china than it is called all weather friendship but when Afghanistan seek the same from India then it is India-Afghanistan nexus..!!! Perhaps you r not able to digest growing friendship between Islamic Afghanistan and your eastern enemy India.
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Ram
May 24, 2013 06:50pm
"Afghanistan and Pakistan have a shared history, culture, language, ethno-religious similarity, and geographical contiguity." Ignorance at its best, culture of Pakistan is Indian except Islam there is commonalty with Afghanistan
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Sunny
May 24, 2013 07:28pm
Does anything good comes from a Pakistani's with regards to India? Nothing but venom.
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shera
May 24, 2013 08:40pm
a territory that ruled current pakistan in the past for many centuries ....
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Irrfaan Akhtaar
May 24, 2013 10:25pm
then same thing can be said about pakistan as well
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whatasilliness
May 24, 2013 10:33pm
This is a totally deranged piece of article written by Mr. Safir. If Pakistan an cozy up and form a nuclear nexus with China, then why not Afghanistan? By the same rule, India should not only grudge but denounce all such moves by Pakistan.
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Dr Hemant Junnarkar
May 24, 2013 11:43pm
What are anti-Pakistani activities? What did India do in the 80's? What is Indian influence in your backyard?
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Dr Hemant Junnarkar
May 24, 2013 11:45pm
Applying the same criteria to Pakistan, is it a sovereign country or territory?
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shahgee
May 25, 2013 12:19am
why is India displeasured with Pak China friendship? its a win win for the region, why cant all 3 come together and drop the hatred and suspicions of past? Chinese leader went to India first for 3 days, came to Pakistan 2nd for 2 days, so what? It does not upset us, but it still does not please you. Pakistan has helped Afghans for years, we share common things, it hurts us when they want to buy weapons from india to use against us, it shows the treachery of Karzai and his people.
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shahgee
May 25, 2013 12:21am
first they should become on nation, then we will not be able to support any group. they chose sides, not us...Pak welcomed all Afghans, did not stop non Pashtuns at the border, their own house is bitterly divided.
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shahgee
May 25, 2013 12:22am
you only have one side, hate Pakistan side....nice way to act like a big neighbor, thanks for stinking it up....no respect for you.
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shahgee
May 25, 2013 12:27am
Afghans never trusted Pakistan, they did not recognize Pakistan in 1947, and Taliban is not a creation of Pakistan, we only supported them because they were the only group capable of bringing peace to you Afghans, when your neighbor starts fighting within family, there is only so much you can do from the house next door. When will you Afghans bcome men and admit your own mistakes, why blame Pakistan for everything. You have made deals with Iran, India, Russia, USA, why only focus of your hate always Pakistan? We gave you respect and refuge in your darkest hour, we saved you from the Soviets, they would have killed all of you, we took in millions of you, it is us who should be upset by the backstabbing, not you. This Taliban ISI creation is a myth, pushed by Indian media.....reality is every intelligence agency is and was involved in Afghanistan, so India did not support the Northern Alliance? are you so naive? Grow up man. If it was up to me, I would throw all Afghani out of Pakistan into India or wherever your real home is, and would lock up the border for good. Too bad I am not in power.
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Insaan
May 25, 2013 12:30am
Changing one word (Afganistan with India) make lot of sense..."India and Pakistan have a shared history, culture, language, ethno-religious similarity, and geographical contiguity. Everything is in our favour, yet we are far from winning the hearts and minds of our Pakistani brothers."
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shahgee
May 25, 2013 12:33am
btw read your own history, Mullah Omar is a Kandahari Afghan who was a Mullah when an Afghan raped and killed a child, he went and killed the killer, this is at the height of infighting between Afghans, when Pakistan had exhausted all efforts to bring peace but Ahmed Shah Massoud and Hekmatyar had a clash of egos and both wanted to be known as the victors and heros of the anti Soviet jihad. Mullah Omar was joined by his Talibs, and a movement to bring peace started, it spread like wildfire, and that is when not only Pakistan, but Saudi and UAE and even Americans started to take notice, obviously India and Iran did not like this as Omar is Pashtun and that means his natural alliance with Pakistan, th Tajiks were farsi speaking so Iran and India naturally joined hands, India will always do the opposite of what Pakistan does, so that was Indias only agenda, now you have a short memory but we dont. Stop making fools of yourselves, because India only wants mischief for Pakistan, not the best for Afghanistan, if they are your real friends, then test them, ask them to take only 1 million Afghans for 1 year, lets see who your real friend is. Please grow up.
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Indian
May 25, 2013 05:30am
You have already made several such attempts to counter Indian influence in Afghanistan. The recent attacks on indian embassy in 2008, 2009 and 2010 are among one of such attempts. Now let us see the difference. We are winning the heart of Afghans and you are terrorizing them. We build road, hospitals, schools and you support terrorism in Afghanistan.
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AK
May 25, 2013 06:14am
Pakistan does not have a real friend in the whole international community. Their friend china and saudi is just using the country as a pawn in much bigger game. Pakistan has alienated itself through its own destructive policies.
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ambijat
May 25, 2013 08:13am
when you acknowledge the weapons are to be used against Pakistan only, then problem lies not with the weapons but amongst the parties. Afghanistan and Pakistan must sort out their mistrust rather than putting suspicion on India.
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Greetings from Odisha India
May 25, 2013 11:28am
Afghanistan is your 'backyard'? Afghanistan is a sovereign nation that you used as a pawn, setting its development back my decades, just to counter India. Now you call it your 'backyard'?
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Ranganath
May 25, 2013 02:17pm
What did Pakistan to when Ahmed Shah Masood - AKA 'The Lion of Panjshir' was trying to bring peace in Afghanistan? Now you have a brotherhood, don't you? Pakistan has done nothing to help Afghans in all these years. Pakistan has always wanted the Afghans to be their slaves.
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Ali
May 25, 2013 03:57pm
As a Pakistani, I actually want Afghanistan to depend on some other country other than Pakistan. Pakistan should deport all Afghani refugees in Pakistan and fence/patrol our border with Afghanistan. Have only trade relations with Afghanistan and nothing more.
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Bilal
May 25, 2013 06:40pm
Pakistan's foreign policy is a joke. we all know this. However, in regards to Afghanistan, their refusal in accepting the durand line is also a part of the problem. In doing so it will naturally cause Pakistan to mistrust and, inevitably, interfere in Afghan affairs. Afghanistan under Mohammad Daoud Khan was doing the same thing that Pakistan is doing today ( he set up training camps for baluch seperatists & even sent troops across the border into Bajaur). I am not justifying Pak's foreign policy of today but for there to be any long term peace then Afghanistan needs to accept and recognise the border (durand border) which would in turn give no reason for Pak to interfere. Similarly, Pak needs to accept that Kashmir is a part of India and move on, especially when it needs to set its own house in order.
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srizki
May 25, 2013 07:37pm
How they going to provide arms, Through what route? Tanks and other heavy equipment.
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