Arsalan Hameed
Viewing Afghanistan as a connector and bridge in the South and Central Asian region is not considered as a new idea; its roots are grounded in an ancient highway that connected the eastern with the western world, known as the Ancient Silk Road. Due to its geographical position, Afghanistan was centrally located on the Silk Road, along which goods were transported from Beijing to Balkh province in Afghanistan, and then headed out towards Turkey and the commercial ports of Europe. Balkh was considered as the cross center and convergence of all branches and courses of the 11000km ancient highway. The Silk Road was therefore served not only as a trade and transit route for tradesmen, it was also a symbol of collective security and global peace during the ancient centuries, for it connected three empires the Han in China, Kushanid Empire in Afghanistan and Roman Empire in the Western hemisphere. The significance of Afghanistan during the ancient times and this time modern era, it is widely believed that a stable and prosperous Afghanistan can only be envisioned in a stable and prosperous region. Besides, the stability in Afghanistan and stability in the region are two mutually reinforcing pillars. Thus the future of the region is dependent upon Afghanistan’s ability to meet its state building measures and move beyond what has been called the decade of ‘transition,’ to the decade of ‘transformation’ which may extend between 2016 and 2024. The prospects for a stable and prosperous Afghanistan is directly linked with Afghanistan’s ability to sustain economic growth, provide goods and services to its people, reduce its dependence upon international aid, and realize its natural resource deposits. As Afghanistan could become a transit hub of energies, thus an Afghanistan connected to the South and Central Asian region through the revitalization of the ancient Silk Road, would not only help to establish Afghanistan as a land bridge, but also sustain its economy by facilitating and connecting the transit of goods and energy across the region.
Although, the revival of the Silk Road has been discussed for decades by those traveling it, as well as by others such as the United Nations and the USA. It only came to official formation during the sidelines of the UN General Assembly during September 2011, when the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton introduced the ‘New Silk Route’ initiative with her counterpart, the Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul. It was emphasized that the said New Silk Road would create trade a web of routes between Asia and the West, facilitated by the establishment of modern highways, rail links and energy pipelines. Such an initiative was perceived as a part of the wider transition program envisioned by the US, which was supposed to shift its focus from stabilization projects to investment in Afghanistan. It was also arguably a process intended on assisting the withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan, by creating a viable environment ultimately paving way to spurring growth and integrating Afghanistan into the economy of South and Central Asia.
As Afghanistan is passing through the incubating stage of its development, needing sincere and concrete assistance from the regional and international community , whereas India is making unnecessary endeavors to spark bitter relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan by inducing Afghanistan’s influential personalities to speak against Pakistan without any factual and true perspective. India recent ill endeavors against Pakistan at borders and international forums has compelled Pakistan’s general public to revisit their thinking and loose expectations that both the countries may resolve their problems through dialogue. India seems mistaken that Pakistan current spade of security situation and will to peacefully resolve the issues could further be exploited and demonized. Hence, India needs to revisit her policies in the region and Afghanistan which is mostly based on countering China and destabilizing Pakistan. Afghanistan has also categorically announced that her soil would not be allowed against any country.
Despite an enduring conflict, weak rule of law, corruption, a doubtful security transition process, an ambiguous peace process, and 11 years of nation-building, Afghanistan has begun to regain its primary position as a trade and transit hub. The practical manifestation of the envisioned future needs to be incorporated for achieving the desired goal for said purpose. Hence, the Afghan government must thrive for expanding the economic avenues, without compromising the urgent need of bringing peace in Afghanistan. The intended economic boost requires to commence infrastructural rehabilitation in all sectors, including railways, highways, energy sources, natural resource discoveries, and trade and transit. Besides, Afghanistan needs to get maximum advantages and facilitations from the regional forums, such as the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the South Asian Association of Regional Countries (SAARC), the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations (SCO), and others.
Afghanistan must consolidate its infrastructural build up, serving to reflect its economic growth, its potential to connect Central Asia with Southern Asia and vice versa, and its capacity to provide mineral wealth and become an energy source to the region; whilst on the international market, it serves to demonstrate its vital importance to ensuring stability in the region. It is a fact that initially Afghanistan will increasingly require more regional assistance rather than international involvement, with regards to military and wasted development assistance which could prove to be the ultimate beacon of progress for Afghanistan.
