KABUL (SW) – Pakistani media recently have reported that the proposal to establish a regional contact group on Afghanistan has reached a deadlock due to Pakistan’s opposition to India’s presence in this group.
The Express Tribune newspaper wrote that Pakistan opposes India’s inclusion in the composition of the member countries of this group. It stated: “Pakistan’s longstanding concerns are that India undermines stability in Afghanistan.”
Some political analysts say that the establishment of a regional contact group addresses the political dilemma in Afghanistan and lays the groundwork for the formal recognition of the Islamic Emirate. They argue that Pakistan’s opposition to India’s participation in the regional contact group cannot prevent the creation of this group.
Sayed Maqdam Amin, a political analyst, says: “Pakistan is committed to America’s strategic presence in the region, but all these political moves boil-down to political and global competition. It can be disruptive, but if it wants to disrupt this process, it is impossible.”
Aziz Stanekzai, another political analyst, also says that regional countries are currently negotiating the establishment of a contact group on Afghanistan.
He adds: “Pakistan’s opposition to India’s presence in the contact group cannot prevent the establishment of this group; the Pakistani government is facing internal problems, and Pakistan will not be able to interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.”
Previously, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran’s ambassador and special representative for Afghanistan, had stated that Iran had proposed the establishment of a regional contact group to strengthen stability in Afghanistan and the region. The aim of this proposal is to cooperate with the Islamic Emirate and lay the groundwork for the beginning of reconstruction to create better conditions for the people of Afghanistan.
