International Journal of Research in Social Sciences

As Afghanistan has been victim of long and destructive Taliban movement, it is directly as well as indirectly influenced by external and powerful actors of the world like US and otherswhich not only influenced its internal politics but also influenced its foreign engagements. Being at the pivotal junction of the West Asia, Central Asia and South Asia, Afghanistan has acquired an important place in the foreign policy framework of its neighbouring nations. Being Iran's natural neighbour Afghanistan is one of the integral part of its foreign policy, however for India Afghanistan not only stands as an important neighbour but also as an essential junction of its foreign policy towards the region and beyond. The problem of Taliban and the subsequent circumstances has altogether brought India and Iran on one board i.e. reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. Today for India Afghanistan is not just a material producer but also a regional balance equalizer, to counter the influence of China and Pakistan, trading partner and most importantly the essential element of its anti-terrorism policy. Therefore India has always maintained to keep Indo-Afghanistan relations at peace and pace. For such an adventure of India, Iran stands a natural partnerwho not only shares Afghanistan boundary but regards Afghanistan peace and development a part of Iran's National interests. Since the 2014’s US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Iran has showed hope and interest in supporting the Afghanistan's development initiative wherein India is a major contingent. India and Iran are widening their sphere of involvement in the Afghanistan region on their basic essentialities. The paper analyses the importance of Afghanistan for both India and Iran and the hindrances thereof. The focus of paper will be to discuss in detail the developmental efforts of both nations and their level of involvement in the Afghanistan region and most importantly highlight their future possibilities as well.