An Assessment of Pak-Afghan Relations during Ashraf Ghani Regime (2014-2019): A Case Study of Ghani’s Rapprochement Policy

Abstract

The study aims to comprehend and critically analyze the rapprochement policy of President Ashraf Ghani by evaluating its impact on the Pak-Afghan bilateral ties and outlining the influencing factors which led to its failure. The neo-classical realism has been employed in order to comprehensively analyze the internal and external factors influencing this policy. The qualitative approach is utilized in the study by relying on the secondary data and the document analysis has been carried out by examining the various statements of the both side’s leadership along with the literature. The study finds that despite Ghani’s rapprochement towards Pakistan; their bilateral relations were challenged by plethora of quagmires. The Afghan domestic level of analysis proposes that the internal rifts, weak institutions, multi-ethnic groups, power of struggle impacted the decision making of the leadership by impacting his rapprochement policy. The inter-state level suggests that being rational both states, engaged with each other on the basis of cost and benefit analysis. The increasing role of India in Afghanistan, TTP, Taliban and rise of violence,Daesh, border and security issues became great hurdle in smoothing the bilateral ties. The international level of analysis outlines that the role of the US is of utmost importance in influencing the rapprochement policy of Ashraf Ghani. Hence, the domestic factors as well as the external players played a key role in chafing the rapprochement policy. The study suggests that while realizing the existence of anarchy, Pakistan and Afghanistan need to accommodate each other’s national interests and must exploit their geographical proximity for the greater economic benefits.