The potential for mutually beneficial bi-lateral relationships has not been lost on Afghanistan's neighbors. So far India has invested more than $1 billion in education, infrastructure and health.
Russia has embarked on a number of hydroelectric projects and a major housing project that aims to build one million square meters of living space a year.
A consortium led by the Steel Authority of India could invest nearly $6 billion in developing the Hajigak mine. China has invested over $4 billion in the Aynak copper mines, and will build a rail line connecting Kabul to Torkham and Mazar-e-Sharif as part of the agreement.
Some of these investments aim to access Afghanistan's $3 trillion underground treasure-chest. They will yield significant tax revenues, which if invested with even moderate competence will help the center out-compete its rivals.
However, bilateral engagement alone - at least of the sort seen thus far - threatens sub-optimal gains for all involved. If India wishes deeper engagement, because Beijing will almost certainly echo Pakistan's concerns - New Delhi will have to contend with Islamabad's fears of geostrategic encirclement.
Even if Pakistan were taken out of the equation, there is a significant amount of distrust between India and China. Which means each will be wary of inroads the other tries to make. China and Russia, too, have conflicting interests in the region. Without multi-lateral engagement, a lot of compromise is likely. The biggest loser could be Afghanistan.
For all the distrust that exists, there are a few objectives which beg collective action and promise to pay ample dividend.
Engaging Afghanistan multi-laterally would not only yield greater internal stability and a reduced terror threat externally, but the exercise could prove to be a welcome trust-building measure among three emerging powers.
