The Complex Geopolitical Fabric Of Pakistan, Iran, And Afghanistan: A Tripartite Nexus In Asia

Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan are three countries that lie at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. They are Muslim-majority countries that share similar Islamic traditions, values, and customs.

Pakistan is located in South Asia and shares a border with Iran and Afghanistan. Iran is a Middle Eastern country that neighbours Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia and South Asia, bordered by Pakistan and Iran.

While Pakistan and Iran have a history of mutual distrust, they have also cooperated in several areas, such as fighting the drug trade and combating insurgency. Afghanistan has struggled with political instability and economic crisis, while Pakistan has faced rising terrorist attacks. Iran has been impacted by international sanctions, leading to high inflation and currency devaluation.

Despite their shared challenges, these three countries have opportunities for economic cooperation and military collaboration. Border trade, counter-terrorism efforts, and enhanced people-to-people contact can help stabilise the region and promote peace and prosperity in South and Central Asia.

Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan are all located in Asia but have varying cultural and religious influences

Pakistan

Pakistan is a multicultural society with a rich history and diverse ethnic groups. The country has a population of over 200 million people, with the majority being Muslims (96.4%) and the remaining being Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and others. The official languages of Pakistan are Urdu and English, but there are several other languages spoken across the country, including Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Persian, and Brahui.

The culture of Pakistan is heavily influenced by Islam, with religious customs and traditions shaping daily life. The extended family is the basic family unit, and family values are highly regarded. Gender segregation is common, especially in non-urban areas, and gender roles are often traditional, with women staying at home while men go out to work.

The national dress of Pakistan is the Shalwar Kameez, worn by both men and women. Pakistani cuisine is diverse, with influences from Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. Rice and meat are staple foods, and tea is a popular drink.

Iran

Iran is a predominantly Muslim country, with 99.4% of the population identifying as Muslims. The official languages are Persian and Arabic, but other languages, such as Kurdish, Luri, and Arabic, are also spoken.

Iranian culture is deeply rooted in its history, with Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity having a long presence in the country. The country has a rich artistic heritage, with music, poetry, and literature playing a significant role.

Iranian cuisine features a variety of dishes, with rice, meat, and fresh produce as staple foods. Tea is a popular drink, and sweets are commonly consumed.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a predominantly Muslim country, with 99.7% of the population practicing Islam. The official languages are Dari and Pashto, but other languages, such as Uzbek, Turkmen, and Balochi, are also spoken.

Afghan culture is heavily influenced by Islam, with religious customs and values shaping daily life. The extended family is important, and gender roles are often traditional, with women staying at home while men go out to work.

Afghan cuisine features a variety of dishes, with rice, meat, and fresh produce as staple foods. Tea is a popular drink, and sweets are commonly consumed.

The three countries have a history of complex and strained relationships, with border disputes and conflicts

Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have historically had complex and strained relationships, with border disputes and conflicts. The three countries lie at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, which grants them opportunities for economic cooperation and military potential. However, they have also faced challenges that have prevented them from fully realizing their potential for regional development.

One of the main sources of tension between Iran and Afghanistan has been Iran's interference through proxies in Afghanistan. Iran is predominantly Shia, while Afghanistan's population is mostly Sunni. Iran has viewed Afghanistan as a haven for Sunni extremists and has supported Shia sectarian groups in the country. Additionally, Iran and Afghanistan have clashed over border disputes, drug trafficking, refugee issues, and water rights.

The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been strained due to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border dispute, also known as the Durand Line dispute. The Afghan Taliban has challenged Pakistan's position on the border, which has been a pillar of Pakistan's security policy. Pakistan has also accused Afghanistan of providing a safe haven for the Pakistani Taliban, a rival group to the Afghan Taliban.

Pakistan and Iran have historically been collaborators, but their relationship has been strained by cross-cutting alliances and tensions at their mutual border. They have also had divergent interests in Afghanistan, with Pakistan supporting the Taliban while Iran opposed a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The three countries have also faced economic challenges, with Pakistan and Afghanistan dealing with political instability and rising terrorist attacks, and Iran's economy battered by international sanctions.

Despite these challenges, the three countries have taken steps towards improving their relationships and addressing regional issues. They have signed bilateral agreements to improve connectivity and coordination, including agreements on border crossing points, barter trade, and counter-terrorism efforts. Pakistan and Iran are working on finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and have signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). Afghanistan, on the other hand, has seen an increase in bilateral trade with Iran, which has overtaken Pakistan as its biggest trading partner.

They face shared challenges such as economic crises, security threats, and terrorism

Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan are three countries that lie at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. They are bound by shared history, culture, and religion, and their geographical proximity presents opportunities for economic cooperation and military collaboration. However, they also face common challenges, including economic crises, security threats, and terrorism.

All three countries are facing economic crises, with Pakistan and Afghanistan experiencing economic meltdowns and Iran struggling with a deteriorating economy. Pakistan's crisis is characterised by high inflation, rising food prices, and a shortage of foreign exchange reserves, leading to difficulties in importing essential goods like crude oil and pharmaceutical products. Afghanistan's economy has collapsed, resulting in mass hunger and humanitarian crises, exacerbated by international economic restrictions and the inability of the Central Bank to access foreign currency reserves. Iran's economic woes are rooted in political and geopolitical events, including international sanctions, currency devaluation, and a reduction in exports, resulting in a substantial trade deficit.

In terms of security threats, Pakistan has faced regional security threats since its creation, with issues stemming from neighbouring countries, particularly India, and the infiltration of terrorists. Afghanistan's security situation is impacted by conflicts with Pakistan over border delineation and the presence of terrorist groups like the Taliban and Shia sectarian organisations. Iran's security threats are centred around its nuclear program and aggressive foreign policy, including the deployment of clandestine assets and the potential for cyberattacks.

To address these shared challenges, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have signed bilateral agreements to improve connectivity and coordination, including agreements on border crossing points, trade, and counter-terrorism efforts. Trilateral economic ventures and military assistance can play a stabilising role for these countries and the broader region. Additionally, strengthening trilateral relations and cooperation is crucial to effectively combat transnational terrorist groups like Islamic State and Al Qaeda.

Overall, while Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan face common challenges, their geographical proximity and historical ties present opportunities for collaboration and mutual support to overcome these difficulties and achieve regional stability and prosperity.

There are ongoing efforts to improve relations and cooperation through trade agreements, counter-terrorism initiatives, and people-to-people contact

Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan are neighbouring countries that lie at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. They share deep historical, cultural, and religious ties, with all three countries having Muslim majorities. Their geographical proximity provides the potential for strong economic ties and military cooperation.

Despite facing various challenges and occasional strains in their relationships, the three countries have made ongoing efforts to improve relations and cooperation through trade agreements, counter-terrorism initiatives, and people-to-people contact.

In terms of trade agreements, Pakistan and Iran have previously signed the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which provided concessions on tariffs. They are also working on finalizing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and have opened border crossing points at Gabd-Rimdan in 2020 and Mand-Pishin in 2023 to facilitate the trade of commodities such as oil, electricity, edible products, fresh fruits, iron, and steel.

To improve relations and cooperation, Pakistan and Iran have agreed to enhance bilateral relations to reduce tendencies of terrorism and extremism in the region. They have also held meetings and dialogues to discuss counter-terrorism strategies and joint regional threats, including a trilateral meeting with China on counter-terrorism. Pakistan has also mediated in the Iran-Saudi Arabia proxy conflict, and Iran has expressed interest in joining the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

In addition to trade and counter-terrorism initiatives, people-to-people contact and cultural exchanges can play a role in improving relations and cooperation. Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan are connected through their shared religious, cultural, and traditional links. These commonalities can serve as a foundation for enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation among the peoples of the three countries.

While challenges remain, the ongoing efforts towards improving relations and cooperation through trade agreements, counter-terrorism initiatives, and people-to-people contact are essential for regional progress, development, and stability.

The countries have a rich history and cultural significance, with ancient civilisations and diverse ethnic groups

Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan are home to several ancient civilisations and diverse ethnic groups, boasting a rich history and cultural significance.

Pakistan

Pakistan is an ethnically and linguistically diverse country, with Punjabis, the largest group, making up around half of the population. The Pashtuns (Pathans) are the second-largest group, accounting for about one-eighth of the population, followed by the Sindhis. Other major ethnolinguistic groups include the Saraikis, Muhajirs, Balochs, Paharis, and Brahuis. There are also numerous smaller ethnic groups, including the Hazaras, Uzbeks, and Kashmiris. The country's cultural diversity can be traced back to ancient civilisations, with the Punjabis, for instance, leading small kingdoms and tribes in the 5th and 4th millennium BC.

Iran

Iran is predominantly made up of Iranic peoples, with Persians being the largest ethnic group and the majority followers of Shi'ite Islam. Azeris are the largest ethnic minority, with approximately one in four Iranians identifying as Azeri. Other significant ethnic groups include Kurds, Arabs, Baluchis, and Lors. Iran also has small pockets of Baháʼí, Turkmen, Christian, and Jewish communities. The country has a long and complex history, with evidence of settled agricultural economies and proto-urban societies dating back to the Bronze Age, between 5,500 BC and 2,900 BC.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a multiethnic, multilingual, and mostly tribal society, with the Pashtun being the largest ethnic group, accounting for about 42% of the population. Other significant groups include the Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Aimaks, Baloch, and Turkmen. Afghanistan's diverse culture is influenced by its location along historic trade and invasion routes between Central Asia, South Asia, and Western Asia. The country has a long history, with evidence of early human settlements and cultural exchange with neighbouring regions.

Regional Dynamics

The countries have historically had complex relationships, with Iran and Pakistan vying for influence in Afghanistan. Pakistan has been accused of supporting the Taliban, creating a breach in relations with Iran, which opposed a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. However, Pakistan has also cooperated with Iran to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan, arguing against the use of the country for geopolitical rivalry.

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