The Complex Identity Of Afghanistan: Navigating The Crossroads Of South Asia

Afghanistan is often considered a part of South Asia, alongside Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. However, some sources disagree with this classification.

Afghanistan shares many cultural, historical, and ethnic similarities with Central Asian countries. The country has also been involved in conflicts with its South Asian neighbours, India and Pakistan, which has led to questions about its status as a South Asian country.

The boundaries of South Asia are not clearly defined, and there is debate about which countries should be included in the region. While Afghanistan is considered a part of South Asia by some, others argue that it is more closely aligned with Central Asia or the Middle East.

Afghanistan's role in the India-Pakistan conflict

Afghanistan is considered a part of South Asia by some sources, but not all. It is included in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which was established in 1985 and includes all eight nations comprising South Asia. However, the United Nations Statistics Division's scheme of subregions, for statistical purposes, includes Iran along with all eight members of the SAARC as part of Southern Asia.

Afghanistan has played a significant role in the India-Pakistan conflict, which is considered the most consequential regional competition for influence in Afghanistan. Pakistan has historically leveraged militant groups, including the Afghan Taliban, as strategic proxies, while India has placed considerable weight on its soft power influence among Afghans. Pakistan's support for the Taliban has been a source of tension with India, which has sought to cultivate Afghanistan as a natural partner and reliable bulwark against Islamic militants.

The Durand Line, which forms the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, has been a significant source of tension and conflict between the two countries. Afghanistan has never officially recognised the Durand Line as its border with Pakistan, and Pakistan's support for the Taliban has further strained relations. The rivalry between India and Pakistan in Afghanistan has also been influenced by developments in Kashmir, with Pakistan seeking to counter what it perceives as an Indo-Afghan nexus to encircle and weaken Pakistan.

The role of Afghanistan in the India-Pakistan conflict has been complex and multifaceted, with the country at times serving as a battleground for proxy wars between the two regional powers. The conflict has been characterised by competing efforts to exert influence and gain strategic depth, with Afghanistan's internal politics and security situation often shaped by the rival interests of India and Pakistan.

Afghanistan's relationship with its neighbouring countries

Afghanistan's relationship with its neighbours has been complicated by the country's role as a buffer state in the "Great Game" between the British and Russian Empires. The Durand Line, established in 1893, divided the Pashtun and Baloch tribes and remains a source of contention between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In recent years, Afghanistan's neighbours have been concerned about an influx of Afghan refugees and have been adjusting to a new diplomatic reality following the Taliban's return to power. There have been border clashes between Afghanistan and its neighbours, including Pakistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan.

Afghanistan's neighbours have also been implicated in the country's internal conflicts, with Pakistan, Russia, and China being accused of supporting the Taliban. China has also been accused of turning a blind eye to human rights abuses in Afghanistan in pursuit of its economic interests.

Despite these challenges, Afghanistan maintains diplomatic relations with many of its neighbours, including India, Pakistan, Iran, and China.

The impact of global powers on the region

Afghanistan is considered by some sources to be part of South Asia. The country has been subjected to invasions and Islamist regimes, with many of its refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries in South Asia.

During the Cold War, South Asian countries were in the shadow of the superpowers and had to engage in diplomacy to balance their relationships between the Soviet Union and the US. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 accelerated efforts to form a union to restrengthen deteriorating regional security. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985, but the deterioration of India-Pakistan ties has since led India to emphasise sub-regional groups.

The forces of globalisation have also impacted the region, with the rise of new transnational threats such as energy and environmental issues, food and water access, migration, and organised crime and terrorism. The financial crisis has weakened Asia's two major regional organisations, APEC and ASEAN, and shifts in the balance of power have occurred more quickly due to the capacity of globalisation to fuel rapid economic growth. The combination of new threats and lingering security concerns has placed unprecedented demands on regional military organisations.

The impact of global powers has also been felt in the cultural sphere, with the rise of an increasingly Western-dominated international culture. This has sparked concerns about the erosion of national identity and traditional values in many Asian countries.

The role of Afghan domestic factors

Afghanistan's economy and political situation have been heavily influenced by domestic factors, which have also played a role in shaping its relationship with neighbouring countries.

The country's economy has been impacted by the continuous war, which has deterred business investors and left much of the population fighting amongst each other. This has resulted in Afghanistan remaining one of the least developed countries in the world, with an unemployment rate of over 23% and about half of its population living below the poverty line.

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 led to the US freezing about $5.3 billion in assets belonging to the Afghanistan Central Bank, which was intended to block the Taliban from accessing the money. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund also halted payments, causing a sharp contraction and reconfiguration of the Afghan economy. The rapid deterioration of economic conditions slowed by the summer of 2022 due to the end of active conflict and the resumption of international humanitarian and basic service aid.

The Taliban's restrictions on smuggled imports, limits on banking transactions, and UN aid have helped stabilise the economy, with the Afghani rising to be the best-performing currency in the world in the third quarter of 2023, climbing over 9% against the US dollar.

However, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with Afghans suffering from cascading and compounding crises. The country faces the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with 95% of Afghan households not having enough to eat by March 2022. The situation has been exacerbated by an economy on the verge of collapse, international isolation, and the Taliban's restrictive laws on women and girls, which have drawn harsh international criticism.

The Taliban's strict laws have also made it more difficult for aid agencies to operate, and the loss of donors due to anger over these policies has forced the UN to reduce its funding requests for Afghanistan. The revocation of the country's central bank's credentials has halted basic banking transactions, and skyrocketing inflation has led to a more than 50% increase in the price of goods from July 2021 to June 2022.

The country's long-term growth prospects rely on a significant shift from reliance on international aid and consumption-driven growth to a more resilient, private sector-led economy that capitalises on its inherent strengths, particularly in the agricultural and extractive sectors.

The influence of Central Asian and Persian Gulf actors

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South Asia, bordered by Pakistan to the south and Iran to the west. Both countries have been heavily involved in Afghanistan's affairs, especially in the post-1979 era.

Iran

Iran has historically exerted influence over Afghanistan, with the two countries sharing religious and cultural ties. In 2012, the Afghan government announced that Saudi Arabia would build an Islamic complex in Kabul, which was seen as a move to curb Iran's influence in the country. Iran's involvement in Afghanistan is driven by its desire to ensure a friendly government and protect its interests, particularly in the event of a renewed civil war.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has been a key player in Afghanistan's recent history, notably as a financier of the Afghan resistance to the Soviet occupation in the 1980s. This support continued even after the Soviet withdrawal, with Saudi Arabia backing the new Afghan government of Hamid Karzai with reconstruction assistance and direct foreign aid.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE has also played a significant role in Afghanistan, having recognised the Taliban regime before the September 11 attacks. The UAE's involvement in Afghanistan has been marked by both diplomatic engagement and economic ties, with Dubai serving as a conduit for Taliban gold reserves. However, following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the UAE shifted its support to the Karzai government, providing significant foreign aid.

Qatar

Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, has been one of the three Persian Gulf states dominating the Middle East's engagement with Afghanistan. However, Qatar's policy towards Afghanistan is expected to become more introspective, with the new emir focusing on domestic issues and repairing diplomatic relationships.

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