Defeating the Divide-and-Rule Strategy: An International Perspective

Pakistan, May 25 – Just as spiders thrive by spinning intricate webs, so too has India operated within the complex geopolitical landscape of South Asia. For decades, India acted like a spider, ensnaring neighboring countries in longstanding disputes through tales of conflict. Its approach was straightforward: amplify historical grievances, boost proxy actors’ influence, and exploit fissures in trust between nations such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. New Delhi’s aim was clear—to establish itself as the dominant power in the region and thwart any unified opposition. Yet, this carefully woven web now faces turmoil. A fresh tapestry of solidarity is being crafted by Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China, one that threatens to unravel India’s divisive tactics.

The agonizing recollections of the Partition in 1947 play a crucial role in comprehending this transformation. As India emerged as a significant force in the area, its inherent anxieties regarding a divided neighborhood resulted in a strategy of “controlled disorder.”

It attempted to alter the political landscape in Sri Lanka and Nepal through diplomatic exertion while simultaneously backing Baloch separatists in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Its objective remained consistent: maintaining India’s neighbors as fragmented, weakened entities dependent upon Indian benevolence. However, realms constructed from suspicion inevitably crumble with shifts in the wind—much like how castles of sand dissolve under fluctuating currents.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are bordered by a lengthy frontier spanning approximately 2,640 kilometers, with intertwined histories stretching over numerous centuries. These nations not only share various traditions but also bustling marketplaces where commerce thrives. The bond between them extends deeper than political ties—it permeates into everyday life. Individuals frequently converge at Sufi holy sites across the borders. Additionally, they engage in trading activities as part of earning livelihoods and recount tales of refugees whose movements have crisscrossed this region through multiple generations.

Last week in Beijing, Pakistan and Afghanistan advanced their mutual relationship significantly. The foreign ministers, H.E. Muhammad Ishaq Dawood from Pakistan and Amir Khan Muttaqi from Afghanistan, went beyond mere formalities; they engaged in substantive discussions aimed at exploring collaborative opportunities moving forward. These agreements facilitated smoother cross-border trade, linked Kabul with critical sections of the CPEC, and fostered cooperation on matters of security.

Afghanistan’s recent choice to become part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) marks a significant move toward linking South and Central Asia, thereby addressing both geographic and economic divides related to trade, growth, and connectivity. This action clearly opposes strategies aimed at isolating nations from one another. By integrating with CPEC, Afghanistan positions itself alongside Pakistan, transforming them into more than mere economic allies—they’re setting up conditions for a fresh chapter characterized by heightened regional interdependence. As this shift unfolds, it starkly contrasts with India’s narrative centered around fragmentation and unrest, highlighting instead the tangible efforts directed at constructing a cohesive shared destiny amid sweeping transformations.

Fundamentally, this expanding partnership represents a defiance against India’s strategy aimed at dividing and undermining. Unlike India’s efforts to isolate Pakistan through misinformation, which contrasts with reality, China acts as a dependable development ally, whereas Afghanistan strongly advocates for stronger regional integration. The expansion of CPEC towards the west illustrates how comprehensive regional strategies can reshape dynamics even when external elements seek discord. This initiative transcends mere economics; the shared agreement among three nations regarding trade, transit, and security underscores their unity more powerfully than India’s divisive rhetoric.

Efforts by Delhi to alienate Pakistan and sway Afghani sentiment have proven unsuccessful. The area is transitioning into an epoch where collaboration supersedes confrontation. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan have discovered shared interests and are advancing towards mutual goals of security and advancement. A promising outlook awaits as collective aims overshadow competition due to China’s financial contributions fostering stronger ties. This evolution signifies more than just political change—it points toward a deeper transformation wherein teamwork leads to enduring prosperity and regional leadership.