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Of late, India has tried to explain its relationship with Afghanistan in the context of civilization and cultural affinity. Not to forget the mention of Gandhara civilization, where, according to Indian historians, the famous Mahabharata character Gandhari lived. Studying the history of Gandhara from the Indian lens gives an impression of a state that was either Hindu or Buddhist in its origin. History takes a thousand turns and rulers change hands as often, but spinning the truth makes for a tasteless epoch.

Afghanistan had remained the centre of many invasions on India and could be the originator of any historical personality, but the country’s Islamic contours are far stronger and irrefutable. If anything, many Afghans feel natural empathy towards Pakistan than with any other regional state. Though it is purely geopolitical, India is trying to manifest its ties being historic with Afghanistan, allegedly to water down Pakistan’s Islamic ties that come naturally to both the nations.

Afghanistan is a complex country. If on the one hand, the superpowers have used the country for proxy wars, the Afghans have been equally unsympathetic towards their nation. Instead of bringing a culture of diversity and tolerance, the presence of multiple tribes has been a cause of political disruptions, leading to wars.