A persuasive argument

A thoughtful and compelling write-up from someone who has served J&K with distinction and earned the respect of civil society through integrity, commitment, and deep understanding of the region.

I refer to Mr. B. R. Singh’s article “The End of the Affair” published in today’s Greater Kashmir. Singh Sahib insightfully traces the rupture between Pakistan and Afghanistan to layers of history—colonial borders, unresolved territorial claims, and the natural limits of ideological bonding, arguing persuasively that no invocation of religious solidarity could override Afghan nationalism or erase the memory of imposed boundaries. His analysis aligns with a timeless truth: Afghans, shaped by rugged geography and centuries of resistance, are born warriors who have never accepted dictates from any power—be it the Sikh Empire, the British, the Russians, the Americans or later Pakistan. This makes them unpredictable, fiercely autonomous, and often immune to external strategic scripting.

Yet, while this historical lens is compelling, it must be viewed in tandem with unfolding geopolitical shifts that resist a purely deterministic reading of the past. The recent outreach toward India which include ministerial-level visits centred on trade, investment, and connectivity—signals a striking evolution in Kabul’s strategic posture. It suggests that Afghanistan today is guided less by inherited alignments and more by pragmatic interests and regional opportunity. This development underscores Singh Sahib’s argument that the religiously framed Af-Pak alignment has lost relevance, but it also shows that history does not lock nations into permanent estrangement. States reposition themselves when incentives change—and Afghanistan appears to be doing exactly that.

Shakeel Qalander, prominent business leader and a civil society animator