1 Prof. Dr. Umbreen Javaid * Rameesha Javaid ** Indian Influence in Afghanistan and its Implications for Pakistan Abstract Pakistan and Afghanistan are geo-politically and geo-strategically interlocked with each other and so the growing Indian influence in Afghanistan is a matter of grave concern for Pakistan. The affairs in Afghanistan directly affect Pakistan due to its location cultural, historical, linguistic, religious and traditional ties; thus, Pakistan’s strategic strength lies in a strong and stabl e Afghanistan. The conflict scenario between traditional rivals in South Asia, India and Pakistan are coming to front with a new dimension in Afghanistan. Therefore, India is trying to achieve a significant soft role and make her presence justified there in order to achieve her broader objectives via Afghanistan. Although, there will remain a sizeable US presence in Afghanistan, but Indian presence is providing local socio-economic infrastructure and civil, military and political services to promote peace and sanctuary in the war-torn country, which is a sources of fear and anxiety for Pakistan. The paper examines the strategic interests and the level of cooperation and influence of India in Afghanistan and its implications for Pakistan. Key Words: India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, influence, interests, role, implications, strategic. Introduction Afghanistan has great geo-strategic importance; she is the gateway to Central Asia, Middle East, and South Asia. Many nations tried to make their hegemony over Afghanistan. It is also called ‘graveyard of empires’ due to her natural resistance to any foreign invasion. In the current scenario, the circumstances unfurling in Afghanistan and their implications gave a daunting challenge to internal, regional and international actors who have stake in future and making efforts towards rebuilding the war-ravaged country. Accordingly, India emerged as one of the main regional actors, who have broader objectives in rebuilding and developing Afghanistan. The steady improvement in India and Afghanistan relations emerged since the collapse of the Taliban rule in post 9/11. Indian support to the Northern Alliance against the Pakistan-sponsored Taliban in the 1990s bolstered her place in Kabul after 2001 as many alliance members have come to hold key governmental or provincial posts. To decide the fate of post US withdrawal Afghanistan, India is aspiring to play a major role in Afghanistan and this seems a major threat to security and stability of Pakistan. For long, Pakistan viewed Afghanistan, as significant component of her area of influence, Islamabad for this very reason does not want * Prof. Dr. Umbreen Javaid, Professor/Chairperson, Department of Political Science & Director, Centre for South Asian Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore. ** Rameesha Javaid, Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of the Punjab, Lahore.