The Potential Contribution,Opportunities And Challenges Of China's Belt And Road Initiative In Afghanistan

China and Afghanistan are two neighboring countries and had a long historic and economic relations since the ancient times.Historically both states were connected through the Old Silk Road,and the bilateral relationship of China and Afghanistan were mostly focused on trade.After the establishment of new Afghan government in 2001,China has increased her economic involvement in Afghanistan and playing a positive role in the rebuilding of infrastructure and economic development of Afghanistan.Since then China's investment has increased and considered as the biggest foreign direct investor in Afghanistan.However,Afghanistan is an after war country and has on her initial stage of development,the country is struggling to enhance her political stability,infrastructure development and sustainable economic growth.In September 2013,the president of People Republic of China H.E Xi Jinping officially announced the BRI project in the capital city of Kazakhstan.The main purpose of this initiative is to stimulate economic growth in China and enhance the regional integration and economic connectivity among all states connected to this project.In this regard,the BRI project is seen as an appropriate regional incorporative project to fulfil the infrastructure necessities and economic development of Afghanistan.Therefore,the main objective of this study is to examine the potential contribution,opportunities and challenges of Belt and Road Initiative project in Afghanistan.This study initially seeks to examine that how BRI can contribute to the economic development and infrastructure of Afghanistan?And how it can pave the path for investment in Afghanistan,and how both countries can get benefits from the natural resources of Afghanistan through this initiative.In order to understand better the case,the author conducted an in-deep interviews with Afghan government officials,public sector employees and merchants to unearth their perspectives on belt and road initiative.Moreover,the author has used the developmental state theory in this study,to observe the phenomena,and to acquire a theoretical framework.The results of this study could be useful for students,policymakers,academicians of both countries in the field related to China's belt and road initiative.