Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently accused India of using Afghan territory to wage a “low-intensity war” against Pakistan, marking a sharp escalation in regional tensions. Speaking in an interview and during peace talks that have since collapsed, Asif alleged that the Taliban regime in Kabul maintains long-standing ties with India, effectively acting as a proxy to target Pakistan from Afghan soil. The accusations came amid a backdrop of repeated cross-border clashes, failed peace negotiations, and rising distrust between Islamabad and Kabul.

Asif claimed that India’s involvement in Afghanistan is part of a broader strategy to compensate for its perceived military setbacks along the western border with Pakistan, particularly referencing a confrontation earlier in 2025. He warned that Islamabad could respond decisively to any hostile actions originating from Afghanistan, signaling readiness for a stronger military response if provocations continue. The Defence Minister also criticized the collapse of peace talks between Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government, blaming Indian interference for sabotaging progress and preventing verifiable actions against militant groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad accuses of operating freely from Afghan territory.

These allegations bring to light the complex geopolitical triangle involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India, where Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity are caught amid regional power plays. Pakistan insists that Afghanistan’s soil is being used as a launchpad for insurgent attacks, whereas Kabul and New Delhi deny direct involvement in destabilizing Pakistan. The impact of these tensions extends beyond military skirmishes — they strain diplomatic relations, fuel mutual suspicion, and complicate efforts toward peace and stability in South Asia.

The failed peace talks, held under the mediation of Turkey and Qatar, aimed to ease tensions after deadly border clashes. But the talks ended without resolution due to disagreements over mechanisms to curb militant activity emanating from Afghanistan. Asif’s warnings about a potential “all-out war” if provocations continue underscore the fragile security environment. The situation exemplifies how proxy conflicts can exacerbate regional instability, with Afghanistan’s internal politics and foreign relations entangled deeply with India-Pakistan rivalry.

For observers of South Asian geopolitics, this development signals a critical juncture. The use of Afghan soil for proxy conflicts illuminates the multidimensional challenges facing Afghanistan’s Taliban government, caught between balancing relations with neighbors and mitigating internal security threats. At the same time, Pakistan’s security concerns highlight the urgent need for credible counterterrorism cooperation. Without constructive dialogue and mutual trust, the risk of escalated conflict remains high in a region already prone to volatility.

This complex scenario reinforces the importance of diplomatic engagement, monitoring militant group activities, and regional cooperation mechanisms tailored to South Asia’s unique context. As peace efforts stall, the enduring rivalry between India and Pakistan is likely to continue influencing Afghanistan’s stability, with serious implications for the broader Indo-Pak region.

Khawaja Asif’s recent comments underline Pakistan’s perception of a multidimensional threat originating from Afghan territory, driven by India’s strategic interests, and manifesting through proxy warfare tactics. The evolving situation demands close international attention to prevent further breakdown of peace and to support a framework that respects the sovereignty of all involved nations while addressing security concerns effectively.