Contact group on Afghanistan hits roadblock over Pakistan’s gripe with India

The proposal to establish a regional contact group on Afghanistan has hit a roadblock due to Pakistan’s objection to India’s participation, the Express Tribune reported on Saturday.

The initiative for a regional contact group stemmed from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s proposal in February, following a two-day conference in Doha aimed at charting a roadmap for Afghanistan’s future.

This group was envisioned to include Afghanistan’s immediate neighbors and other relevant stakeholders. However, Pakistan’s objection to India’s participation in the proposed regional group has led to a deadlock, the Express Tribune reported citing diplomatic sources.

Historically, Pakistan and India have viewed each other’s roles in Afghanistan with suspicion. Islamabad’s resistance to New Delhi’s inclusion in the regional contact group stems from its longstanding concerns that India undermines stability in Afghanistan.

While Pakistan’s relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) remain strained, India has intensified its engagement with Kabul in recent months, according to the newspaper.

The proposal to establish a regional group was part of broader UN efforts to enhance coordination in dealing with the IEA-led government. A UN delegation is scheduled to visit Kabul soon as a follow-up to the Doha conference, aiming to urge the IEA government to fulfill its international commitments.

The upcoming UN delegation’s visit seeks to convey to the IEA government the adverse consequences of its hardline stance, the Express Tribune reported.