Communication,Cooperation and Challenges:A Roadmap for Sino-Indian Engagement in Afghanistan

Nearly one year into the so-called ＂decade of transformation＂, Afghanistan is plagued by challenging circumstances. The government of national unity continues to be weak, the economy has failed to deliver on its promise and an increasingly fractured insurgency is making inroads in parts of the country previously believed to be stable. Addressing these pressing concerns requires a concerted effort by Afghanistan＇s international partners in support of the Afghan government. NATO, Western and, most significantly, US engagement in Afghanistan will continue. The American announcement to extend military engagement beyond December 2016 is a reflection of growing concern in Washington about the deteriorating security situation on the ground. But the economy is still failing to deliver much promise, with a continuing exodus of currency as well as brain drain further weakening the economy. Major mining prospects, perceived to be the economic bulwark upon which a sustainable Afghan economy could be built, have to date failed to deliver on their initial promise.

The paper dwells upon the areas where China and India could cooperate in the reconstructions of Afghanistan.The very possible major areas for Sino-India to cooperate are the security,the economy and the political reconsiliation.In each,some ideas for potential cooperation are offered.The major conclusion is that the stability of Afghanistan,will depend on its neighbours,with China and India in particular.