Afghanistan's Stance on the Kashmir Issue: Support, Feasibility, and Limitations

Introduction

The question of whether Afghans, particularly those under the Taliban regime, can support the Kashmir cause and help Kashmiris is complex and multifaceted. This article delves into the potential for both support and the practical and political feasibility of such involvement, considering historical context, current economic and political circumstances, and recent developments.

Support for Kashmir

Supporting the Kashmir cause is not a black-and-white issue for Afghanistan. On one hand, the Taliban, who currently govern Afghanistan, have the potential to be supportive. This is primarily due to the Taliban's historical ties to Pakistan, which has a long-standing interest in the Kashmir issue. The Taliban have expressed a willingness to recruit Afghan mercenaries to fight in Kashmir under the guise of the Pakistan-centric narrative that Kashmir is a part of Pakistan.

On the other hand, the Taliban’s motives and willingness to engage in such military action are in question. Once Kashmir is conquered, it would become an integral part of Pakistan, which aligns with the Taliban's interests but not those of Afghanistan specifically. Therefore, the Taliban leadership's urgency to escalate the situation in Kashmir is questionable, given that the land would be part of Pakistan even if they succeed.

Feasibility of Afghan Involvement

Critically, the practical feasibility of Afghan involvement in Kashmir is further complicated by several factors:

Economic Dependency: The Taliban government, currently reliant on Pakistan and international aid, is in a state of dire financial crisis. As a result, assisting Kashmiris through economic means is not feasible given their current circumstances. Strategic Risks: Cross-border operations, including the infiltration of Afghan territory into Pakistani and Indian-controlled Kashmir, pose significant strategic risks. The complexities of navigating the porous borders, the geopolitical sensitivities, and the unlikelihood of garnering widespread internal and external support amplify these risks. Conflict Dynamics: Involving Afghan mercenaries in Kashmir could trigger an unpredictable and potentially destructive conflict, both in terms of regional stability and the overall mission's objectives. The Taliban, at present, are more focused on consolidating their power within Afghanistan rather than engaging in external conflicts.

Historical and Geopolitical Context

Errorneously, some suggest that because Kashmir is not occupied by India, Afghanistan has no stake in the issue. This assumption is flawed given that the Kashmir issue has been primarily managed and influenced by external actors, with significant interference from Pakistan. Additionally, the Kashmiri region's historical and cultural ties to Pakistan bolster sympathy in the region.

India’s occupation of Kashmir has been a contentious issue since the partition of British India. Pakistan considers it an inherent right to have claim over Kashmir based on the principle of self-determination and the Instrument of Accession. However, the international community’s stance on the issue remains ambiguous, and efforts for a peaceful resolution have largely been unsuccessful.

Conclusion

While there is a potential for Afghanistan, including the Taliban regime, to show support for the Kashmir cause, the practical and political feasibility of meaningful involvement remains limited. Economic dependencies, strategic risks, and the geopolitical climate all make such an undertaking highly improbable in the short and foreseeable future. For now, support for the Kashmir cause from Afghanistan, if any, is likely to be in the form of verbal condemnations and isolated acts of aid, rather than active military or economic support.