Archive · 13 Jun 2025
India's Afghan Policy and Pakistan's Security Challenges
Imagine a line drawn a long time ago dividing a region where people share a culture.
Now, the country on one side of that line wants to control that area.
India is worried because this issue causes problems and threatens their safety.
India is trying to find a way to help, by improving relationships and working with the people in the disputed area.
India believes the old line has caused problems, so it's rethinking its approach to deal with this challenge.
India wants to build better relationships and counter the interference from its neighbor.
India faces a long-term security challenge from Pakistan due to the Durand Line dispute.
The Durand Line, established in 1893, is contested by Afghanistan and fuels instability.
Pakistan has tried to influence Pashtun identity, leading to various movements and conflicts.
India should revise its Afghan policy, moving away from a US-centric approach to address Pakistan's influence.
India is urged to leverage its geopolitical position and strengthen ties with Afghanistan to counter Pakistan.
- Who
- India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Pashtun people, and various political and militant groups.
- What
- India's strategic challenges related to Pakistan due to the Durand Line dispute and Afghan policy.
- When
- Ongoing, with historical context from 1893 to the present.
- Where
- Primarily focused on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Why
- To address the instability caused by the Durand Line dispute and Pakistan's influence, and to enhance India's regional security and geopolitical standing.
Pakistan's perspective
India & Afghanistan's perspective
Durand Line Legitimacy
Pakistan's perspective
Pakistan views the Durand Line as a legitimate international border, which it aims to uphold.
India & Afghanistan's perspective
Afghanistan and many Pashtuns dispute its legitimacy.
Regional Influence
Pakistan's perspective
Pakistan aims to maintain its influence in Afghanistan to counter India.
India & Afghanistan's perspective
India seeks to increase its influence by cooperating with the Afghan government, irrespective of the regime.
Pashtun Identity
Pakistan's perspective
Pakistan believes it should utilize Pashtun identity for its strategic depth, which includes supporting certain factions.
India & Afghanistan's perspective
Some Pashtun groups, like the PTM and TTP, seek independence or unification with Afghanistan.
- Durand Line Establishment
- 1893
- Pakistan's Recognition of Durand Line
- 1947
- Pashtunistan movement leaders
- Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
- NWFP renamed to
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2010
- PTM leader
- Manzoor Pashteen