and that at
one time it was proposed by Russia to treat Afghanistan itself as
a neutral territory. Those negotiations, however, having proved
fruitless, the northern frontier of Afghanistan was finally
determined by mutual agreement, and in 1876 the Russian Government
formally reiterated its adherence to the conclusion that, 'while
maintaining on either side the arrangement come to as regards the
limits of Afghanistan, which is to remain outside the sphere of
Russian action, the two Cabinets should regard as terminated the
discussions relative to the intermediate zone, which promised no
practical result.'

The position of Afghanistan as defined and settled by these
engagements was again distinctly affirmed on behalf of the Queen's
Government by the Marquis of Salisbury in 1879, and the Government
of India unreservedly maintains it in the fullest conviction
of its essential necessity for the peaceable protection of Her
Majesty's Indian dominions. It is therefore desirable that you
should take occasion to inform Abdur Rahman that the relations of
Afghanistan to the British and Russian Empires are matters which
the Government of India must decline to bring into discussion with
the Sirdar. The Afghan states and tribes are too contiguous
with India, whose North-Western frontier they surround, for the
Government of India ever willingly to accept partnership with
any other Power in the exercise of its legitimate and recognized
influence over those tribes and States.

The Governor-General in Council is, nevertheless, most anxious
that the Sirdar should not misunderstand the light in which his
personal sentiments and obligations towards Russia are regarded
by the Government of India. So long as the Rulers of Kabul were
amenable to its advice, this Government has never ceased to
impress on them the international duty of scrupulously respecting
all the recognized rights and interests of their Russian
neighbour, refraining from every act calculated to afford the
Russian authorities in Central Asia any just cause of umbrage or
complaint. The intelligence and good sense which are conspicuous
in the Sirdar's letter and messages to you will enable him to
appreciate the difference between conduct regulated on these
principles and that which cost Sher Ali the loss of his throne.
This G