Towards a Pak-Afghan Reconciliation?

Under American pressure, the Pakistan has now signaled some flexibility. It has disclaimed the long-standing Pak army's doctrine of seeking 'strategic depth' in Afghanistan and released some of the captive Taliban leaders to facilitate talks between Kabul and its main political opposition.

In return for being nice to Kabul, Rawalpindi wants its interests in Afghanistan codified by a bilateral strategic partnership agreement. The prospects for such an agreement, however, depend upon two factors—Pakistan's political sincerity and Kabul's readiness to trust Rawalpindi.

As Afghanistan and Pakistan begin a new engagement, Delhi should keep its eyes and ears open and mouth shut.

(The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, Delhi and a Contributing Editor for The Indian Express)

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