Abdul Hai Qanit, Director of the Strategic Studies Center of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has said that major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia shape the course of global affairs, including matters of war and peace, leaving smaller countries to align their foreign policies with the decisions and strategies of these powers.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Qanit categorized countries into three groups: major powers, middle powers, and small states. He said middle powers—including Türkiye, India, Iran, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Brazil—are influenced by the policies of major powers but retain significant influence in shaping political dynamics within their respective regions.

According to Qanit, small states generally pursue one of three foreign policy strategies: balancing between rival powers, aligning with a major power, or adopting a hedging strategy by maintaining relations with multiple major or regional powers without fully committing to any single side.

Referring to the recent conflict between the United States and Iran, Qanit cited Oman as a successful example of a small state employing a hedging strategy. He said Oman maintained relations with the United States, Western countries, and Iran simultaneously, enabling it to safeguard its security while also playing a constructive mediating role during the crisis.

Qanit concluded by saying that small states have limited choices in the international system and that achieving success requires strategic planning, adequate resources, institutional capacity, and prudent leadership.

India has rejected recent remarks by Pakistan’s military spokesperson on India-Afghanistan relations, saying the comments reflect Islamabad’s “insecurity and frustration” over the growing ties between New Delhi and Kabul.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to comments made by Pakistan Army spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.

“The statements and comments are, in a way, a reflection of the Pakistani state’s insecurity and frustration over the positive trajectory of India-Afghanistan ties,” Jaiswal said.

His remarks came after the Pakistani military spokesperson said Muslims should not befriend “non-believers” and questioned assertions of historical and cultural links between India and Afghanistan.

Chaudhry also repeated Pakistan’s longstanding allegations that New Delhi supports militant violence inside Pakistan.

Iran is seeking greater control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz under a temporary proposal being discussed with Oman, according to a senior Iranian source familiar with the negotiations.

The source told Reuters that Tehran wants authority over all vessels entering the strategic waterway, while also maintaining oversight of outbound traffic with the ability to intervene if necessary.

Under the proposal, ships leaving the Gulf would travel through a route between Iran and Oman, with Oman issuing final clearance after notifying Iranian authorities.

According to the source, the proposal represents a compromise from Iran’s original demand for full control over shipping in both directions. Tehran is not expected to soften its current position, arguing that its security concerns must be addressed before any long-term arrangement can be reached.

Negotiations over the waterway have become one of the most contentious issues following the recent conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

While Washington maintains that the memorandum of understanding that ended the fighting requires the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened for normal international shipping, Tehran insists the agreement preserves its authority over maritime traffic through the passage.

Last month, Iran rejected an Omani proposal that would have divided responsibility for transit routes equally between the two countries, saying the plan did not adequately address its security concerns.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints.

Roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption passes through the narrow waterway each day, along with significant volumes of liquefied natural gas, petrochemicals, fertilisers and other commercial goods.

Any disruption to traffic through the strait can have an immediate impact on global energy prices, shipping costs and international trade.

Located between Iran and Oman, the strait is approximately 34 kilometres (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point. Since 1968, ships have used internationally recognised traffic lanes established under a United Nations-backed routing system, allowing vessels to transit through both Iranian and Omani territorial waters while treating the passage as an international shipping route.

The outcome of the current negotiations is expected to play a key role in determining when normal commercial shipping can fully resume through one of the world’s busiest and most strategically significant waterways.