Subsequent to victorious completion of the first round, Afghan election has entered into the second round of presidential run-off. In this round the leading contenders each of Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and Dr. Asharaf Ghani Ahmadzai tries to earn decisive victory over political rival. Irrespective of who turns victorious in the second round, the magnitude of problems will turn the presidency bed of thrones. 

One of the hard core problems that remain decisive is Afghanistan’s foreign policy, is the establishment of relations based on trust and mutual respect and bilateral interest with rest of the world. The two contenders, during election campaign promised of keeping good relations with neighbors and international community, in the light of Afghan interests kept prior. Particularly, when it comes to the degree of inclination demonstrated towards either of two neighboring country Pakistan and Afghanistan. The afghan leadership should learn it, that any disproportion in its relation might worsen the state of affairs.

India is one of the countries extending support to Afghanistan in every field of human endeavor, be that diplomatic, infrastructural, training or construction. Afghanistan succeeded developing congenial relation with India whilst reaping the fruits of economical development, she earned over the length of time. Though, the new India premier, Nareinder Modi is infamous in Muslim world for Gujrat bloody incidents, yet it is speculated that he will carry along Afghan policy, in the line carved by former government.

One the other hand, Pakistan too, is demonstrating a high degree of interest in afghan affairs for good of Afghans. However, the porous Af-Pak border between the two countries has turned the bone of discontent and mistrust. Pakistan and Afghanistan are exercising blame game for every incident taking place in either of the country.

Formerly, a group of militants attacked the Indian consulate in western Herat province of Afghanistan. According to reports five suicide bombers approached the consulate started firing at the diplomatic mission at 4.00am subsequent to entering a residential building in front of the consulate. Luckily the Indian diplomatic mission suffered no causality or major damage in the attack, whilst inflicting slight injury on two policemen. Following attack Indian government and Karzai had accused Lashar-e-Taiba to be behind the attack. In the meanwhile, President Karzai participated in swearing-in ceremony of Modi in New Delhi, whose Baharatya Janata Party won a sweeping victory in recent parliamentary elections. Following the ceremony the two premiers met at the Hyderabad House, where reportedly the former attack came under discussion according to media reports.

Earlier, following to the attack on the Indian consulate in Herat, the Afghan Ministry of Interior declared the plot had been planned beyond Afghan borders and appealed the UN Security Council to act against those supporting proxy wars in Afghanistan. This is a genuine concern raised by corresponding department, in the light of dreadful past experience, this piece of land was used for furthering else’s interests.

This stance, certainly, underlines the future prospect of relationship of Afghanistan with Pakistan, India and rest of the countries. The incoming premier must be prudent if not heedful; instigating a balanced relation with all the countries provided this piece of land is protected from manipulative designs. 

Simultaneously, Afghanistan is passing through troubled relation with Pakistan. The porous border, along the Durand line, has turned the bone of discontents between Afghanistan and Pakistan, hosting numerous terrorists. It is accepted that large number of local and non-local terrorists seeks save heavens across the Pak-Afghan border, where they run training camps and frequently plot terrorist activities against the either of aforesaid state. Seemingly both Pakistan and Afghanistan claim to be front states, fighting insurgency and terrorism, nonetheless no bold measure, from either side is taken, crushing the militant’s hideouts across the border. Consequently the terrorist easily undertake malicious acts and subsequently safely return back to their hideouts that seem to be inaccessible if not impossible for security institutions of the two countries.

Formerly, another awful incident of cross border incursion occurred where reportedly Pakistani gunship helicopters pulverized civilian homes in the Dangam district of eastern Kunar province. According to media reports the attack claimed lives of four civilians and injuring other ten including women and children. Seeing precious innocents render targets, accordingly serious fear and concerns prevail in neighboring areas.

Previously, President Karzai, being overwhelmed by civilian causalities and public pressure, raised the issue of shelling into Kunar with Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, where he urged Pakistan's Prime Minister to inquire into the subject and showed serious reservations about the former incident. Responding at the raised reservations, Mr Shareef stated the terrorists coming from Afghan land, cross border and plot terrorists’ activities. This, certainly, is the part of old practiced blame game where the responsibilities are not fixed and rational strategies to counter terrorism are never be devised.

There are several genuine issues; both countries are facing with inclusion to border problems and unrelenting terrorism. It’s high time both Pakistan and Afghanistan diffuse the distracting foundation of mistrust eroding mutual trust. It is vital for two countries to develop long-lasting and endless cordial relationships based on mutual respect, material and technical support and co-operation and coordination. Bridging the untied relationship may bring a sustainable security and stability in both countries –it is the aspiration of people of both countries. 

It is valued the three neighbors, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India work out an agreed strategy to all immediate problems. All of them need to reaffirm their compliance to launch a joint venture against illiteracy, poverty and the rest of socio-political issues. Pakistan and Afghanistan are required to work strengthening border coordination and also jointly work for installing durable peace and drag forth the peace talks. India is emerging economic hub, Pakistan and Afghanistan must reap fruit of the economic prosperity, it has earned. It is time Afghanistan’s foreign policy is drawn in the line mutual cooperation and harmonious relationship in the light of multilateral interest kept in consideration. Pursuing the aforesaid road map, Afghanistan will turn into politically developed and socio-economically sound country.