C. Raja Mohan argues that India should focus more on the evolving situation along the Durand Line separating Pakistan and Afghanistan rather than solely on bilateral diplomacy with Pakistan. He highlights the recent Pashtun Qaumi Jirga as a significant development that could shape regional dynamics. Mohan discusses the historical context of Islamic militancy, the rise of the Taliban, and the PTM’s demands, emphasizing the increasing instability within Pakistan and its negative implications for India.
C. Raja Mohan emphasizes the need for India to redirect its focus from the often-discussed bilateral relations with Pakistan to the more pressing developments along the Durand Line, which delineates the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He notes that the recent Pashtun Qaumi Jirga held in Jamrud, Khyber district, may provide more insight into the future developments in the region than the anticipated visit of External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Pakistan, which marks the first visit of an Indian foreign minister to Islamabad in a decade. Mohan articulates a significant paradox in India-Pakistan relations, wherein the fervor surrounding diplomatic engagements is rarely matched by tangible outcomes. Although there is an air of expectation regarding Jaishankar’s visit, the entrenched issues that characterize bilateral relations remain largely unresolved. He portrays the relationship as stagnant and of minimal consequence to regional and global geopolitical dynamics, save for occasional crises that momentarily draw international attention. The author reflects on historical events from the late 1970s that have shaped regional dynamics, specifically the Iranian Revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which spawned Islamic militancy and ultimately gave rise to the Taliban. The Taliban’s resurgence has led to increasing instability in the Pashtun regions, where Pakistan’s aspirations to control through the Taliban have been undermined by the latter’s assertion of autonomy and collaboration with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Additionally, the rise of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) indicates growing discontent among the Pashtun populace regarding issues such as state violence, military presence, and demands for rights to their land and resources. Rather than addressing these grievances, the Pakistan government has chosen to suppress the movement, thereby exacerbating tensions. Mohan underscores that the ongoing turbulence in the Pashtun areas, coupled with unrest in Balochistan, renders Pakistan’s western frontiers volatile. He argues that the long-standing geopolitical churn in these regions has formative implications for the internal, regional, and international relations dynamics of South Asia, foreshadowing that future developments along these borders will significantly influence India’s own challenges along the Radcliffe Line.
The article discusses the complexities of India-Pakistan relations while highlighting the geopolitical significance of developments along the Durand Line that separates Pakistan from Afghanistan. The author argues that the dynamics at play in the Pashtun regions, exacerbated by the return of the Taliban and the rise of movements like the PTM, are increasingly relevant to understanding regional stability and India’s diplomatic strategy. He reflects on historical events like the Iranian Revolution and the Soviet-Afghan war, which have contributed to the current state of affairs, emphasizing the interconnectedness of local sentiments and broader geopolitical landscapes. This background forms the basis for understanding current challenges faced by Pakistan and its implications for India.
In summary, C. Raja Mohan calls for a shift in Indian discourse from the narrow focus on bilateral relations with Pakistan to a broader analysis of the tumultuous events occurring along its western borders with Afghanistan. He suggests that understanding the rise of the Taliban, the assertion of Pashtun autonomy, and the resurgence of nationalist movements like the PTM are critical to interpreting India’s challenges with its neighbor. The complexities of these developments are poised to have far-reaching implications for regional stability and India’s diplomatic posture.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
