My Enemy's Enemy

Abstract

The archetype of ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend’, India’s political and economic presence in Afghanistan is often viewed as a Machiavellian ploy aimed against Pakistan. Challenging deeply held beliefs about an India-Pakistan proxy war, the book offers a nuanced explanation of India’s strategic intent and actions, which is critical to resolving the seemingly unending war in Afghanistan, as well as wider bilateral disputes between the two South Asian rivals. Divided into three parts — ‘debating neutrality’, ‘debating containment’, and ‘debating engagement’ — the book offers a detailed examination of the nature of and reasons for New Delhi’s foreign policy conduct. It demonstrates that Indian presence in Afghanistan has been guided primarily by an enduring vision for the region that requires a stable balance of power across the Durand Line.