ROLE OF REGIONAL COUNTRIES

AND NON-STATE ACTORS IN AFGHANISTAN ISSUE

Introduction
1.
Anyone who controls Afghanistan controls the land routes between the Indian
subcontinent, Iran, and resource rich Central Asia. Apart from regional, extra regional
forces are also active in Afghanistan to pursue their agenda since ages. Due to the rich
resources of the region most of the Western countries including the United States had
diplomatic missions in Kabul. Mentioned below are some of the attractions
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

A concern for oil, natural gas and markets.

Control of land routes.
Minerals key to Afghan development.
Non metallic minerals

Role of Regional Countries and Non-State elements

2.
Northern Alliance. The capture of Kabul by the Taliban on 26 September 1996
re-aligned political forces within Afghanistan and the region. After the fall of Taliban in
post 9/11 scenario, Northern Alliance gained power with the help of western powers,
Karzai was appointed as the nation's interim leader. The conflict in Afghanistan has
continued to have an international dimension, both from political and economic
perspectives. Apart from the stability issue most of the players in this conflict are
interested in the rich natural resources of this country.
3.
India's interests in Afghanistan.
India always had good relations with
Afghanistan (except during the Taliban period). Islamabads problematic western border
is an important factor in New Delhis Afghan policy. Indias scramble for oil, markets,

and influence in the potential oil republics of Central Asia and in the Middle East are
important points for its interest. A corridor to Iran through CHAHBAHAR port and the
Middle East is also on the agenda. In pursuit of these goals, India attaches great
strategic importance to Afghanistan.
With Indian presence in Afghanistan, India is encircling Pakistan with consulates
and commandos and is financing militant organizations in FATA of Waziristan and is
also providing training and funds to the Baluchistan Liberation Army.
6.
Pakistan.
Pakistan would be the last country to accept any Indian influence
over Afghanistan since Afghanistan would give Pakistan strategic depth against any
future conflict with India.
Pakistan bars the transit of Indian goods through its territory to Afghanistan at the
same time it does not restrict the transit of Afghan goods to India. With Pakistans
embargo, Indian goods have to take a longer route and time. Pakistan has rejected
Indias request to lift the ban, linking the issue to progress in their peace negotiations,
and especially the dispute over Kashmir.
A huge chunk of Afghanistan's trade that had to be channelled through Pakistani ports
like Gawadar and Karachi is in problem due to Indian influence on Afghanistan.
7.
Russia.
Russia is a Northern Alliance supporter; it provided them with tanks
and a large number of missiles to be used against Pashtun movement such as the
Taleban, threatening Russias interests in Central-Asian countries.
Afghanistan is important to Russia because of its location and the growing economies of
south Asia. Region's total oil reserves are more than 60 billion barrels -- enough for
Europe's oil needs for 11 years. Russia had been recognized, as natural ally of Central
Asian States. It could mean Russia controlling a major part of the world's future oil
supplies.
8.
Central Asia.
Past efforts by Pakistan, Turkmenistan and the Taliban for a
pipeline to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan to Pakistan via Herat and Kandahar,
worth $2bn failed due to violence in the region. It is estimated that Afghan government
could bring in $100 million in revenue from the pipeline.
9.
Uzbekistan.
Uzbek President had clandestinely supported his fellow
Uzbek, General Abdul Rashid Dostum, with tanks, aircraft and technical personnel, with
an expectation that Uzbek dominated provinces in northern Afghanistan would provide a
buffer against the spread of fundamentalism from Afghanistan.
10.
Tajikistan.
Racked by civil war and with a government backed by
Russian troops, Tajikistan had been sympathetic to fellow Tajiks. Many Afghan Tajiks
also support the idea of a greater Tajikistan - merging Tajik areas of Afghanistan with
Tajikistan.

11.
United States.
It is a key player in the Afghanistan fiasco. Apart from having
control over rich natural resources of the country its main aim is to have a favourable
government in Afghanistan so that the country should be away from Russian influence,
containing Iranian influence is also on the agenda.
12.
Iran trade. Iranian government also wants to boost trade and investment in
Afghanistan by taking part in development process of Afghanistan but with the presence
of USA it is next to impossible. Iran has also worked for Iran, Pakistan and India gas
pipeline but USA is not letting India to go for the deal.
13.
Non state elements
The non state elements that gathered in the name of
jihad against Russia have more strong roots in Afghanistan. These non state actors
have their specific agenda which comes out to be a hurdle in maintenance of peace.
These people are funded by different powers and agencies with an aim to achieve their
objective. The same elements are now being used by some agencies to create law and
order situation in Pakistan.
Conclusion
14.
According to an important political thinker like Kautiliyan philosophy, neighbours
are regarded as enemies and an enemys immediate neighbour as a friend. Therefore,
as part of this philosophy, taking advantage of the differences between Afghanistan and
different countries coalition between states are being established. Pumping of arms and
ammunition by different countries is the cause for the continuation of unrest in
Afghanistan. It is important to note that all the countries associated with Afghanistan
have some direct or indirect interests in this issue.