Since Afghan government has been pushing for reconciliation with insurgent groups that continue to operate within its territory, the neighboring countries have put their weight behind this effort. In the meanwhile, these neighbors have laid stress that the process of negotiation with Taliban and other insurgent outfits should be led by Afghans.

Afghan government has been moving the reconciliation and reintegration plan forward but without any tangible results as yet. But it is believed and said that the very neighbors that have espoused the reconciliation process continue to sponsor the militants that fight against Afghan government and international forces and order them to abstain from entering into any negotiation process. On the other hand, since Afghanistan continues to remain an aid-recipient country, it should consider entering into any long-term strategic agreement with some powerful and well-off countries for political and economic support as it continues to rebuild its economic infrastructure and tap its rich resources.

It is within the sovereign jurisdiction of a state to establish political and non-political relations with other countries; decide about its national interests and expediencies; acquire membership of any regional and international organizations and alliances. The ongoing talks about long-term strategic agreement or declaration with the United States of America can be interpreted under this jurisdiction.

But unfortunately the neighboring countries have not been recognizing such a jurisdiction for Afghanistan and have been trying to dictate the terms for Afghanistan to sign any agreement with great powers. They can hold Afghan government accountable for the consequences of any agreement if it deals any harm to them but they do not have the right to prevent Afghanistan from deciding its national interests, its security and economy.

It is clear that these neighbors will laugh at both international community and Afghan government if they fail to stabilize the country for good. They will accept no responsibility for such a failure in Afghanistan. They will not bother while experiencing Afghanistan once again slide into ethnic and sectarian conflicts as experiences of 1990s show that they did nothing to stop the conflict in Afghanistan. Afghan government must exercise its jurisdiction in deciding about its national interests and the long-term interests of its people.

It can be a good neighbor for the neighboring countries only if it manages to use the current opportunity to secure and stabilize the country. Afghanistan with failed state, broken governance and poor economy will be prone to more interferences and meddling and will always be blamed by the neighbors for the regional instability. Moreover, Afghanistan has never been consulted by the neighboring countries in their agreements or clashes with regional and international powers that can have direct impact on Afghanistan as well.