INDIA, PAKISTAN AND NEW GREAT GAME IN AFGHANISTAN (2001 TO 2014)

Abstract

Afghanistan carries strategic importance for both regional powers, Pakistan and India. As
power games in Afghanistan developed over the years from the Communist revolution to the
Soviet invasion to the Taliban's rise and eventual fall, India and Pakistan have consistently
supported contending internal forces. For India, Afghanistan serves the purpose of “Chanakya”
policy: “your neighbour is your enemy and your neighbour's neighbour your friend;” whereas,
Pakistan is suffers from its over thirty years involvement in Afghanistan wars and the Global
War on Terrorism (GWOT). This paper survyes Pakistan’s motives and interests in Afghanistan
within the configuration of the South Asian security complex. Pakistan's motivations are
explored while taken into consideration the evolution of U.S. policy in South Asia. This paper
also assesses India’s hold on Afghanistan vis-à-vis Pakistan in the New Great Game as well as
the US efforts to promote Indian influence in Afghanistan.