Less than two months after taking office as Afghan president, Ashraf Gani’s visit to Pakistan and his suggestion that three days of talks have overcome the obstacles of 13 years is a silver lining to the tempestuous relationship between the two neighbours.
Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan had been stormy under Hamid Karzai, the previous Afghan president, and both sides had accused each other of harbouring Taliban militants across their border. At a joint press conference, however, both sides showed that they were keen on making a conscious effort to renew ties. While Gani said they would not permit the past to destroy the future, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called his counterpart a ‘dear brother’. He reiterated Pakistan’s desire for stability in Afghanistan and support for the reconciliation process to achieve peace. The two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations with focus on economic cooperation and security challenges including terrorism in the region. They signed deals to improve train and road links, increase trade and explore defence, border and energy cooperation. Finance ministers from the two sides also signed a deal aimed at more than doubling trade between the two countries to $5 billion (Dh18.4 billion) by 2017, and simplifying customs protocols. Warm words may not be enough to iron out the differences between the two countries which have strained relations over time. What is needed is a concerted effort and determination on both sides of the border to ensure that militancy is curbed and their ties are based on trust. Cooperation on security and energy issues could hold the key to mutual and lasting peace.
