Striking the right balance is an immediate challenge facing New Delhi. The near collapse of Pakistan’s state machinery in its frontier region not only accentuates the crisis across the border in Afghanistan but also drives the extremist threat much closer home. In the Afghan regional matrix, Pakistan remains a key challenge for India.

Should India place its boots on the ground? To what extent can India continue to expand its diplomatic and economic profile in Afghanistan without an appropriate security apparatus in place? The emerging political and military situation makes it imperative for India to evolve a clear policy, to establish a meaningful presence in the region and realize some of its larger interest.