Abstract

Afghanistan is facing multipronged challenges mainly by the surge in Afghan Taliban insurgency, the emergence of Islamic State-Khurassan Province, fragile Afghan security forces, upsurge in Afghan Drug Trade and discord among Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. All these factors are responsible for the mayhem and turmoil in Afghanistan and would have far reaching implications for Pakistan and Central Asia. It is imperative for the regional and global powers to support reconciliation and negotiation process with Afghan Taliban and other reconcilable groups to settle this issue amicably and open the gates for cooperation and development in the region. India and Pakistan must end their proxy war, resolve their outstanding issues, and collectively work for the stability of Afghanistan. Moreover, Pakistan and Afghanistan must overcome their differences, settle the border dispute, secure the border and collectively work for the regional connectivity and collaboration. The United States of America, China, Russia and European Union must support Afghanistan in rebuilding and reconstruction. Politically and economically stable Afghanistan would connect the land locked Central Asian states with rest of the world and pave the way for better connectivity and economic development.