That Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to call an Afghan grand jirga on restoring peace in the country is welcome news. In a meeting that took place between President Zardari and a delegation of High Peace Council led by Burhanuddin Rabbani in Karachi, the Pakistani side also endorsed the plan for opening a Taliban representative office in Turkey. The plan might work especially if both Islamabad and Kabul give precedence to the peace process with the Taliban over their differences. However, the Afghan leadership at the helm must realise that for a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan and Taliban, it has to first take some confidence building measures, foremost of them include telling New Delhi in no uncertain terms that it would not be allowed to use Afghan soil for destabilising Pakistan. Indian consulates in Afghanistan that have apparently no justification to be there in the first place, and are a big eyesore for Islamabad, should be shut down. Until Kabul realises the fact that India has no role whatsoever in Afghanistan, its gestures like holding peace jirgas would bear little fruit. Indeed, the majority of Afghans, including those who are currently busy in putting up resistance against the US and NATO forces, do not favour India poking its nose in their internal affairs, least of all allowing them to determine their future. On the other hand, given the centuries-old ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Afghans would consider Islamabads intervention as genuine. So, as a practical measure to win Pakistans confidence before the peace jirga is convened, Kabul must take concrete steps to contain the increasing Indian sphere of influence in political and military affairs of the country. The Indian consulates especially those which are close to the Pak-Afghan border would have to be shut down. Alongside, the hordes of Indian intelligence and military personnel currently in Afghanistan should also be given marching orders.