Afghanistan-Pakistan relations: Dynamics of Cooperation and Conflict

The towering Hindu Kush mountain ranges rise along the Durand Line, a 2,640-kilometre border that is as hostile and formidable as the mountains themselves. It is the internationally recognised border between the states of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The two countries share deep historical, cultural, ethnic, economic and civilisational ties, pre-dating the official creation of Pakistan in 1947. But much like an oscillating wave, their bilateral relations have been characterised by periods of harmony, followed by discord. 

The Afghan-Soviet war (1979-1989) is the starting point of significant Pakistani involvement in Afghan affairs. Pakistan played on the side of the USA and Saudi and backed the Mujahideens in fighting the Soviet forces. The fall of the Soviet forces paved the way for the rise of Taliban in the 1990s. Pakistan militarily and economically supported the group in order to safeguard its interests in the region. It also led to the creation of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an insurgent group located along the border. 

September 2001 marked a colossal shift in dynamics. Following the 9/11 attacks on US soil and USA’s subsequent ‘War on Terror’, Pakistan found itself in a strategic bind. Though it allied with the US, it continued to secretly support Taliban. This ambiguous approach allowed Pakistan to maintain influence in the region while also benefitting from western aid and goodwill. 

The subsequent overthrow of Taliban regime paved the way for a democratically elected government in Kabul. Islamabad recognised the government and offered a friendly hand. But the relations between the two remained fragile due to a feeling of mistrust against Pakistan in the corridors of power in Kabul. The then Afghan President Hamid Karzai banned Pakistani media in the country in all its forms for its ‘anti-Afghan propaganda’. 

Change of government in Afghanistan in 2014 led to a betterment of relations. The Ashraf Ghani led Afghan government signed an MoU with Pakistan which aimed at eliminating terrorists’ safe havens. Relations soured once again when in 2015, Afghanistan blamed Pakistan for terrorist attacks on its soil. 

Furthermore, India’s substantial economic, educational, military and infrastructure assistance to Afghanistan has been a major point of contention between Kabul and Islamabad. Pakistan saw Afghans’ relations with India as a betrayal of its trust, whereas the Afghan government remained wary of Pakistan’s ties with Taliban.

Pakistan has played a pivotal role as facilitator and mediator in the 2020 Doha talks between USA and the Taliban. The Accord paved the way for US’ exit from Afghanistan in 2021, after two decades of war. There was re-establishment of Taliban rule which came with profound security implications for Pakistan in the form of attacks in its Pashto regions in the North-West and increased threats from the militant group TTP.

In the years leading up to 2021, Afghanistan was fraught with corruption, civil wars, weak political structure and a reliance on international aid and support. The fall of the democratic government and return of Taliban have intensified these challenges. Taliban’s governance is dictated by the strict interpretation of Sharia. Furthermore, it follows a decentralised approach to governance, giving regional leaders significant powers, who more often than not, act with impunity and unchecked power. The creation of the Durand line had divided the Pashtun majority areas of both countries. This had led to huge discontent amongst the populations on both sides. Taliban has refused to recognize the Line as the border. The porosity of the border has allowed for insurgent actions by the TTP. 

The Afghan-Pakistan relation has been one of dynamism, characterized by alternating periods of coordination followed by periods of conflict. The involvement of countries like the USA, China, India, Russia and Saudi has at times intensified the conflict, while on other occasions facilitated dialogue and conflict resolution. Their geographical proximity, shared ethnic and cultural ties, strategic significance in regional economics and engagement with multiple regional and global stakeholder nations has rendered sustained dialogue and negotiations necessary and inevitable. 

Kaamya Tandon

2/07/2026