The Durand Line Conflict and the TTP Factor
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India and its neighborhood - Afghanistan, Pakistan; Border disputes - Durand Line; International Security - Terrorist groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State (IS)).
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. The Afghanistan-Pakistan situation directly impacts India's security and regional stability.
Key Highlights from the News
The conflict on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan intensified. Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Kabul, and the Afghan army retaliated.
Pakistan's main accusation is that the Afghan Taliban is providing a safe haven to the terrorist organization Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which operates from Pakistan.
However, the Taliban rejected this accusation, arguing that there are no terrorist groups in their country and that the problem is Pakistan's internal security failure.
The Taliban counter-accused Pakistan of harboring Islamic State (IS) terrorists.
The Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, visiting India, stated his readiness for discussions but warned that if Pakistan did not cooperate, they would have "other options."
Historical disputes regarding the Durand Line, the border between the two countries, are a major cause of this conflict.
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