AngloAfghan

AngloAfghan is a term used to describe the historical and ongoing relations between Britain and Afghanistan, encompassing diplomacy, security, development, and cultural exchange. The concept arises from the centuries-long involvement of the British Empire in Afghanistan as part of the geopolitical dynamic known as the Great Game. Beginning in the 1830s, the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839–1842) and the subsequent Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880) culminated in the 1880 Gandamak Treaty, which placed Afghan foreign policy under British influence and laid the groundwork for the Durand Line border established in 1893 with British India. The Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919 led to Afghanistan regaining full control of its foreign affairs with the Treaty of Rawalpindi, marking a turning point in bilateral relations.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Anglo-Afghan relations shifted toward diplomatic engagement, development aid, and security cooperation, particularly during the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan after 2001. The United Kingdom contributed troops, civilian aid, and diplomatic support as part of international efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, transition governance, and address security challenges. Following the 2021 Taliban takeover, relations evolved toward humanitarian assistance and political engagement, alongside ongoing international discussions about recognition and aid.

The term AngloAfghan is also used in scholarship to discuss cross-cultural encounters, migration, and the influence of British education, media, and institutions on Afghanistan, as well as the Afghan diaspora in the UK. See also Great Game, Durand Line, Treaty of Rawalpindi.