Deconstructing the Afghanistan-Pakistan Conflict
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India's neighborhood, Durand Line, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan - TTP, Afghan Taliban); World Geography (Map locations of border areas).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): India and its neighborhood- relations; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. This is a critical development in India's immediate western neighborhood with direct security implications.
Key Highlights from the News
Durand Line: Recent intense military clashes on the Durand Line, the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, indicate a major rift in relations between the two countries.
Main Point of Contention: Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of harboring the terrorist organization Tehreek-e-Taliban-Pakistan (TTP) on their soil.
The Taliban, however, rejects this allegation, arguing that it is Pakistan's internal problem.
Five Underlying Reasons for the Conflict:
Pakistan's desire for the Taliban to remain a "vassal state."
The TTP issue.
The Pakistan Establishment's control over foreign policy, especially Afghan policy.
Pakistan's unilateral expulsion of Afghan refugees.
Pakistan pressuring Afghanistan by closing key border crossings like Torkham and Chaman.
Pakistan disapproves of the Taliban's attempts to establish independent relations with countries like Russia, China, and India. The attack launched by Pakistan on the day of the Afghan Foreign Minister's visit to India is an example of this.
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