Durand Line – Geopolitical Faultline in South Asia

The Durand Line, established in 1893, remains one of the most contentious borders in South Asia. Stretching 2,640 kilometres, it divides Afghanistan and Pakistan. This boundary has shaped regional politics, conflicts, and alliances for over a century. Its legacy continues to influence power struggles and local lives in 2025.

Historical Origins of the Durand Line

The Durand Line was drawn by British diplomat Mortimer Durand and Afghan Amir Abdur Rahman Khan. It was intended to define spheres of influence, not a permanent border. However, the British treated it as a fixed international boundary. This division split the Pashtun tribal areas, severing communities and families. Afghanistan never accepted the line as legitimate. When Pakistan inherited the border in 1947, Kabul opposed it strongly, even blocking Pakistan’s entry into the United Nations.

Durand Line in Imperial and Cold War Context

Afghanistan was a key arena in the Great Game between British and Russian empires. Three Anglo-Afghan wars were fought to control the region, but Afghanistan remained unconquered. During the Cold War, the Soviet invasion of 1979 turned the Durand Line into a strategic frontline. The United States, via Pakistan, supported Afghan Mujahideen fighters to counter Soviet forces. This porous border became a conduit for weapons, funds, and ideology. The conflict left Afghanistan devastated and fragmented.

Rise of Taliban and Regional Impact

Post-Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan descended into civil war. The Taliban emerged from Mujahideen factions, asserting control by the mid-1990s. Their rule suppressed democratic gains made after 2001, particularly for women and political institutions. The Durand Line remains unrecognised by the Taliban as a formal border. Clashes with Pakistani forces continue, reflecting ongoing tensions. The border’s unresolved status fuels instability and complicates regional diplomacy.

India’s Role and Strategic Interests

India’s engagement in Afghanistan has focused on development and infrastructure rather than military intervention. Projects like the Zaranj–Delaram Highway and the Afghan Parliament Building symbolise this approach. India seeks to maintain influence through people-to-people ties and economic cooperation. The Taliban’s recent outreach to India for legitimacy marks a strategic shift. This dynamic unsettles Pakistan and adds complexity to South Asian geopolitics.

China, Pakistan, and Global Rivalries

China views stability along the Durand Line as critical for its Belt and Road Initiative. It aims to protect investments in Pakistan and access Afghanistan’s mineral resources. Pakistan strives to control the border to secure its western frontier and influence Afghan politics. The Durand Line now stands at the intersection of American strategic withdrawal, Russian interests, Chinese ambitions, and South Asian rivalries. It is a focal point of global power competition.

Enduring Legacy and Human Impact

The Durand Line is more than a border; it is a symbol of colonial legacy and geopolitical contestation. It divides ethnic groups and disrupts traditional life for Pashtuns on both sides. The region remains volatile, with frequent clashes and political uncertainty. The unresolved status of the Durand Line continues to hinder peace and development. It embodies the complex history and ongoing struggles of Afghanistan and its neighbours.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Point out the significance of the Durand Line in shaping South Asian geopolitics and its impact on Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.
2. Critically analyse the role of foreign interventions in Afghanistan since the 19th century and estimate their long-term effects on regional stability.
3. Underline the challenges faced by landlocked countries like Afghanistan in securing economic development and international connectivity, with suitable examples.
4. What is the Belt and Road Initiative? How does China’s involvement in South Asia through this initiative affect regional power dynamics?

Answer Hints:

1. Point out the significance of the Durand Line in shaping South Asian geopolitics and its impact on Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.

1. Durand Line (1893) divided Pashtun tribal areas, splitting communities and creating ethnic tensions.
2. Afghanistan never accepted it as a legitimate international border; Pakistan inherited it in 1947, causing persistent bilateral disputes.
3. The border shaped regional conflicts, including cross-border insurgencies and clashes between Afghan Taliban and Pakistani forces.
4. It influenced great power rivalries – British-Russian Great Game, Cold War proxy wars, and current US-China-Pakistan-India competition.
5. The unresolved border fuels instability, complicates diplomacy, and affects security cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
6. It remains a scar symbolizing colonial legacy and ongoing geopolitical faultlines in South Asia.

2. Critically analyse the role of foreign interventions in Afghanistan since the 19th century and estimate their long-term effects on regional stability.

1. British imperialism established Durand Line and fought three Anglo-Afghan wars to control Afghanistan’s strategic position.
2. Soviet invasion (1979) triggered decade-long conflict, causing massive destruction and refugee crises.
3. US covert support to Mujahideen via Pakistan prolonged conflict, unintentionally enabling rise of Taliban and extremist groups like Al-Qaeda.
4. Post-9/11 US-led intervention aimed at counterterrorism but led to prolonged instability and fragile democratic experiments.
5. Foreign interventions entrenched factionalism, weakened Afghan sovereignty, and transformed Afghanistan into a proxy battleground.
6. Long-term effects include regional insecurity, refugee flows, terrorism, and strained Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.

3. Underline the challenges faced by landlocked countries like Afghanistan in securing economic development and international connectivity, with suitable examples.

1. Dependence on neighboring countries’ infrastructure and political goodwill for access to ports and trade routes.
2. Security issues along borders (e.g., Durand Line) disrupt trade and cross-border economic activities.
3. Limited direct access to global markets increases transportation costs and reduces competitiveness.
4. Examples – Afghanistan’s reliance on Pakistan’s ports and India’s investment in Zaranj–Delaram Highway to connect to Iranian ports.
5. Political instability and weak governance hinder infrastructure development and foreign investment.
6. Regional cooperation initiatives (e.g., TAPI pipeline, Belt and Road) offer opportunities but face geopolitical challenges.

4. What is the Belt and Road Initiative? How does China’s involvement in South Asia through this initiative affect regional power dynamics?

1. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is China’s global infrastructure and connectivity project linking Asia, Africa, and Europe.
2. In South Asia, BRI focuses on projects like China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passing near the Durand Line region.
3. China seeks stable borders (including Durand Line) to protect investments and access Afghanistan’s mineral wealth.
4. BRI strengthens China-Pakistan ties, unsettling India and altering regional strategic balances.
5. It increases China’s influence in South Asia, challenging US and Indian regional ambitions.
6. BRI’s economic integration potential is countered by geopolitical rivalries and security concerns in the region.