"Afghanistan's Position in India's Transit Policy in Central Asia"

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 A Ph.D. Candidate in International Relations, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of International Relations, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Allameh Tabatabae'i University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Tehran. Tehran. Iran

Abstract
As an emerging economic and political power, India needs secure transit routes to Central Asia to access energy resources, emerging markets, and strengthen regional ties. In this regard, Afghanistan, as the heart of Asia and the historical crossroads of the Silk Road, enjoys a unique geopolitical and geoeconomic position, which has made it a key link in connecting South Asia to Central Asia.This country can play a decisive role in achieving India's transit and trade goals. The main question is: How effective has Afghanistan been in the context of India's transit diplomacy? In response to this question and based on the explanatory-explanatory research method, the following hypothesis is addressed: India's transit diplomacy, by taking advantage of Afghanistan's geopolitical position as a strategic bridge, has enjoyed the benefits of increasing energy security, economic development, and promoting influence in Central Asia through expanding economic and political relations with regional countries. The research findings indicate that, in addition to creating strategic opportunities within the framework of India's transit diplomacy, Afghanistan is also prone to significant challenges; which stem from both the country's internal multilateral instability and the competitive situation of influential regional powers that seek to influence Afghanistan's internal conditions and foreign policy.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 18 February 2026

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