Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations

Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations

Afghanistan–Pakistan relations began in August 1947 after British India was partitioned into the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Pakistan and Afghanistan are usually described by Afghan President Hamid Karzai as "inseparable brothers", which is due to historical, religious, and ethnolinguistical connections by the majority Pashtun people of Afghanistan, as well as trade and other ties. Both neighbouring states are Islamic republics and part of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Relations between the two countries have been negatively affected by issues related to the Durand Line, the 1978–present war (i.e. Mujahideen, Afghan refugees, Taliban insurgency and border skirmishes), including water and the growing influence of India in Afghanistan. However, the two states are working together to find solutions to these problems. This includes possible defense cooperation and intelligence sharing as well as further enhancing the two-way trade and abolishment of visas for diplomats from the two nations.