Historical Perspective – Dynamics of Trust and Mistrust in Fluctuating Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations

Abstract

After independence from British, Pakistan inherited territorial dispute with Afghanistan. Demarcation of Durand Line became the leading factor in fluctuating relations between the two neighbours. This paper deals with the dynamics of Pakistan - Afghanistan’s oscillating relations through the prism of historical perspective. Pakistan always desired to have cordial relations with Afghanistan because of its foreign policy to maintain cordial relations with Muslim countries. In this article, a brief account of Russian Invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 has also been discussed along with how socially, militarily, and economically this invasion has shaped the environments and national security of Pakistan. This article also argues the Indian factor that is the main cause in sour relations between the two neighbours by focusing on the Indian objectives in Afghanistan.