The US has limited options when it comes to packing up and leaving Afghanistan. The intention of the US is to leave with grace or at least save its face. For this face saving, it is adopting various diplomatic strategies. The foremost is to negotiate with the leading groups in Afghanistan to find a solution for peace in the country.
Simultaneously pressure tactics through military means are also being utilised. To consolidate its ambitions, the Indian factor has also been encouraged. India is considered as a third party option to stabilise the volatile situation. It needs to be understood that it is not possible for India to handle such an environment and help in political solutions due to its own vulnerabilities. But the big question remains that whether it would be possible for any peace process to be successful without Pakistan being a partner? The US and Afghanistan tend to downplay it but Pakistan remains a neighbour. It not only shares its borders but also religion and culture. It has a strong bond of relationships between families. Whatever happens on the military, political or humanitarian level, affects both neighbours.
Therefore, there can be no headway in peace talks without the participation of Pakistan. Pakistan understands the psychological dimensions of the situations emerging from time to time. It is pertinent that Pakistan be kept well aware of any plans and developments regarding peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan has suffered before and most of its problems are due to the abrupt pull out of US in the past as well. The influx of refugees has disturbed the law and order and economic infrastructure whereas the fighters themselves have later turned into hostile groups leading to terrorism.
At present, Pakistan is already in trouble fighting terrorism on the one hand and handling crisis due to foreign interference. If the US generally desires to build lasting relations and remove apprehensions, then a saner approach needs to be adopted that the concerns and interests of Pakistan are more important and need to be taken care of in any agreement or plan between the US and Afghanistan's power politics. No peace process can succeed without the participation of Pakistan. It is again a test of sincerity of the US towards Pakistan.