The Durand Line, drawn in 1893 by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, remains one of South Asia’s most contested borders. It divides Pakistan and Afghanistan along a 2,640-km stretch. Recent clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistan have revived debate over its legitimacy and continued instability.
Historical Background
During the late 19th century, the British Empire sought to secure its northwest frontier from Russian expansion, leading to negotiations between Mortimer Durand and Afghan ruler Abdur Rahman Khan. The resulting Durand Agreement (1893) delineated the boundary between British India and Afghanistan, with the Amir relinquishing claims over several tribal regions in return for a subsidy.
The “Great Game” and British Strategy
The border was a product of the “Great Game” — the geopolitical rivalry between Britain and Russia in Central Asia. Britain aimed to create a buffer zone in Afghanistan to prevent Russian influence. The agreement divided several Pashtun-dominated regions such as Waziristan, Bajaur, and Kurram, bringing them under British control.
The Pashtun Question
The Durand Line split the Pashtun ethnic homeland, disrupting kinship, trade, and cultural unity. This division later fueled the Pashtunistan movement, which demanded an independent homeland for Pashtuns. Even today, cross-border tribal links and shared traditions challenge Pakistan’s control and contribute to recurring insurgencies.
The 1919 Anglo-Afghan Treaty
The Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 formally accepted the Durand Line as the boundary between Afghanistan and British India. However, Afghan rulers and populations have repeatedly rejected it, arguing that it divides ethnic Pashtun lands arbitrarily and lacks moral legitimacy.
Post-Independence Disputes
After Pakistan’s formation in 1947, Afghanistan demanded that Pashtuns be allowed to choose whether to join Afghanistan, which both Britain and Pakistan rejected. Tensions escalated during the 1950s and 1960s as Afghanistan, backed by the Soviet Union, clashed diplomatically with U.S.-aligned Pakistan. The dispute became a Cold War fault line.
Pakistan’s Border Fencing
To control insurgency and illegal crossings, Pakistan began fencing the Durand Line in 2017, claiming security concerns. By 2023, nearly 98% of the fencing was completed. Afghanistan and local Pashtun communities, however, view it as a provocation that divides families and undermines their rights.
India’s Diplomatic Position
India maintains strategic ambiguity on the Durand Line’s legitimacy, focusing instead on stability in Afghanistan. New Delhi supports an “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned” peace process and views Pakistan’s actions along the border as threats to regional balance and counter-terrorism efforts.
Contemporary Relevance
The Durand Line remains one of the world’s most disputed frontiers. Its historical roots in colonial strategy, coupled with ethnic divisions and geopolitical rivalries, ensure that a negotiated settlement is unlikely. Persistent mistrust, cross-border militancy, and shifting alliances continue to make this border a flashpoint in South Asian politics.