Afghanistan and Its Neighbors

The nature of the Taliban’s relationship with Afghanistan’s neighboring countries remains complex and fluid. These relationships have experienced significant fluctuations, as regional actors neither fully trust the Taliban to sustain transparent and predictable relations, nor can they afford complete disengagement due to overlapping strategic and security interests.

Recent developments in 2025 have added new dimensions to these dynamics. Moscow’s formal recognition of the Taliban, the sharp deterioration of relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and India’s decision to host and welcome Taliban representatives mark a critical phase of regional realignment. While the Taliban seeks to leverage regional engagement to expand its legitimacy and to gain a political foothold, neighboring states are primarily driven by the pursuit of security guarantees and stability along their borders. Afghanistan’s citizens, including its primary stakeholders in these regional challenges, have no voice in current arrangements but will be crucial to any long-term solutions. 

The evolving regional order has brought several interconnected challenges to the forefront, including border security, transnational militancy, refugee flows, water disputes, narcotics trafficking, barriers to economic cooperation, and the spread of extremism and radicalization. In light of these issues, a central question remains: how can these challenges be effectively addressed through a collaborative and principled regional approach that engages Afghanistan without legitimizing the Taliban? Whether through existing regional platforms or the creation of a new mechanism, a coordinated framework is essential to mitigate these crises. What such a mechanism means, particularly in terms of its structure, facilitation, and participating countries, will be the central questions.

To explore the practicality of a regional mechanism for principled security, and in response to these shifting regional dynamics, the Andiana Foundation, in collaboration with the Sigur Center, will convene a mid-level conference. This conference will examine recent developments in Afghanistan’s relations with its neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, China, India, and Uzbekistan. The conference will bring together experts, scholars, and practitioners to:

• Analyze the depth and implications of the evolving regional dynamics;
• Discuss the changing political and security environment, both within Afghanistan and its neighboring countries; and
• Explore and generate actionable policy options, particularly a regional mechanism for conflict prevention and resolution and fostering regional stability

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Host or Publisher Sigur Center for Asian Studies at GW