Durand Line: A Historic Boundary & Powerful Diplomacy 1893

What is the Durand Line?

The Durand Line is the internationally recognized border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, established in 1893 by British diplomat Sir Mortimer Durand and Afghan Emir Abdur Rahman Khan. Stretching approximately 2,640 km (1,640 miles) from Iran in the west to China in the east, it was drawn to define British India’s and Afghanistan’s spheres of influence.

The line cuts through Pashtun and Baloch tribal regions, dividing ethnic communities across the two countries. While Pakistan recognizes the Durand Line as the official border, Afghanistan disputes its legitimacy, citing its colonial origin and its impact on Pashtun unity.

Origin and History

The Durand Line, drawn in 1893 through an agreement between British India and Afghanistan, was intended to mark spheres of influence and create a buffer against Russian expansion. Signed by Sir Mortimer Durand and Emir Abdur Rahman Khan, the 2,430 km border stretches from the Pamirs to the Arabian Sea. It divides Pashtun and Baluch ethnic regions, causing long-term unrest. While Pakistan recognizes it as a legal border, Afghanistan and many Pashtuns reject it as a colonial imposition. This division has led to conflict, instability, and ethnic tension. There is growing international demand for peaceful dialogue and cooperation to resolve the dispute and protect the rights of affected communities.

• Origin: Established in 1893 through an agreement between Sir Mortimer Durand (British India) and Emir Abdur Rahman Khan (Afghanistan).
• Purpose: To define spheres of influence and act as a buffer zone between British India and Russia.
• Length: 2,430 kilometers, running from the Pamirs in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south.
• Geography: Passes through mountainous, fertile, and arid regions; divides Pashtun and Baluch ethnic areas.
• Ethnic Impact:
  • Pashtuns: Largest ethnic group in Afghanistan; heavily split by the Line.
  • Punjabis: Largest ethnic group in Pakistan, mostly unaffected by the Line.
• Historical Background:
  • Pashtuns once ruled large areas before British defeat in 1847.
  • The Durand Line ignored ethnic boundaries and focused on geographic features.
• Current Issues:
  • Border remains disputed, especially by Afghanistan and many Pashtuns.
  • Region faces violence, terrorism, and political instability.
• Criticism:
  • Seen as a colonial imposition without local approval.
  • Questions raised about Pakistan’s selective use of international law.
• Call for Peace:
  • Urges Afghanistan and Pakistan to shift from conflict to cooperation.
  • Recommends international support for dialogue and regional development.

The Great Game and the Durand Line: British-Russian Rivalry in Central Asia

During the 19th century, rising Russian influence in Central Asia alarmed the British Empire, particularly in India. This intense rivalry, known as “The Great Game,” sparked political tensions and diplomatic confrontations between Russia and Britain. The construction of Russia’s Trans-Caspian Railway in 1890, extending close to Afghanistan, further fueled British fears of Russian access to India—the British Empire’s prized colony. Though Russia had no intention of invading all of Afghanistan, Britain feared even minor Russian advances could trigger instability in British India. To counter this threat, Britain aimed to control Afghan foreign policy, strengthen borders, and turn Afghanistan into a buffer state.

• The Great Game: A political rivalry between Britain and Russia over control and influence in Central Asia during the 1800s.
• British Fears: Britain was worried Russia might challenge its dominance in India, especially through influence in Afghanistan.
• Railway Threat: Russia’s Trans-Caspian Railway, reaching Afghanistan’s border, was seen as a serious military threat by the British.
• Afghanistan as a Buffer: Britain tried to make Afghanistan a buffer state to keep Russia at bay.
• British Border Strategy: Britain annexed regions like Punjab and Sindh and tried to control Pashtun tribal areas by defining clear borders.
• Military Support: Afghan Emir Abdur Rahman was given weapons to defend northern Afghanistan from Russian advances.
• Pashtun Colonization Plan: Britain encouraged Pashtun settlement in the north to isolate non-Pashtun tribes from Russian contact.
• Final Motive: The southern border aimed to stop Pashtun raids into India and curb growing Islamic movements (Jihad) that could threaten British rule.
• Land Control: Before the 1893 agreement, Britain expanded its territory for strategic and economic gain, weakening Afghanistan’s control over its own lands.
• Lord Lansdowne’s View: He believed that if Britain didn’t control frontier areas, others (like Russia) would.

The 1893 Durand Line Agreement: Origins and Impact

In 1893, British India and Afghanistan signed an agreement to define Afghanistan’s eastern border, known as the Durand Line. British diplomat Sir Mortimer Durand negotiated with Afghan Amir Abdur Rahman, who resisted the division of Pashtun lands. For Abdur Rahman, these areas represented honour (nam) and vital tribal support. Despite his reluctance, the Amir signed the agreement—likely under pressure, including threats of cutting British aid and arms during an ongoing conflict with the Hazaras. While the British viewed it as a boundary of influence, the Afghans argue it was never a fully agreed-upon international border. This line still causes tension today, especially between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

• What Happened: In 1893, British India and Afghanistan agreed on a border to define control areas—now called the Durand Line.
• Main Players: Negotiations were between Sir Mortimer Durand and Amir Abdur Rahman of Afghanistan.
• Amir’s Objection: He strongly opposed losing Pashtun regions, seeing them as tied to Afghan identity and political power.
• ‘Nam’ (Honour): Abdur Rahman said keeping Pashtun areas was a matter of nam, which the British misunderstood as irrational pride.
• British Perspective: They aimed to mark zones of influence, not necessarily create a strict international boundary.
• Agreement Pressure: The Amir was under economic and military pressure when signing—he needed British aid and wanted to avoid conflict with Russia.
• Territories Lost: Pashtun areas like Swat, Chitral, Khyber Pass, and Waziristan went to British India; some tribes were split across the new line.
• Wakhan Corridor: Given to Afghanistan as a buffer between British and Russian territories.
• Control Tactics: British used deals, subsidies, and force to manage tribal areas they gained.
• Amir’s Warning: He predicted ongoing conflict with excluded hill tribes—a warning that became reality.
• Ongoing Dispute: Afghanistan still rejects the Durand Line, arguing it was unfair, colonial, and ignored local ethnic and cultural realities.

Pakistan’s Claim Over the Durand Line: Legal Grounds and Controversies

After the 1947 partition of British India, Pakistan claimed inheritance of the Durand Line under the 1893 agreement and the 1919 Treaty of Rawalpindi. However, there was no formal ratification of these agreements between the new states of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Pashtun leader, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, opposed joining Pakistan, but the 1947 referendum only allowed a choice between India and Pakistan—not independence or merger with Afghanistan—leading to controversy. Pakistan bases its legal claim on uti possidetis juris, a principle stating that newly formed states inherit the borders of their former colonial rulers. This position is supported by British statements and international allies, though critics argue Pakistan selectively applies international law for its benefit.

• Inherited Border: Pakistan claims it inherited the Durand Line from British India after 1947.
• No Bilateral Deal: Afghanistan never officially agreed to this post-independence border.
• Pashtun Opposition: Pashtun leader Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan opposed joining Pakistan and called for an independent Pashtun state.
• Biased Referendum: The 1947 vote excluded options for independence or union with Afghanistan, favoring Pakistan.
• Legal Basis: Pakistan uses uti possidetis juris, a global legal rule, to claim it automatically owns the same borders as colonial British India.
• International Support: Britain and SEATO members publicly backed Pakistan’s stance, recognizing the Durand Line as its legal border.
• Criticism: Some argue Pakistan uses international law selectively—accepting parts that suit its goals and ignoring others.

Parallels with the Jammu & Kashmir Conflict: Pakistan’s Contradictory Use of International Law

The Jammu & Kashmir conflict highlights Pakistan’s contradictory stance on international law, similar to its position on the Durand Line. In 1947, Pakistan violated a Standstill Agreement by invading the region with tribal fighters and army personnel, prompting Maharaja Hari Singh to legally accede to India. Pakistan denies the legitimacy of this accession to conceal its illegal occupation. Its own constitution and interim laws further contradict its claims. Additionally, Pakistan’s refusal to withdraw troops, as mandated by the UN, and the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through disputed Gilgit-Baltistan breach international law, displace locals, and suppress dissent—exposing the selective use of legal norms to suit its interests.

• 1947 Invasion: Pakistan invaded Jammu & Kashmir after a peace agreement, triggering violence and leading to India’s involvement after the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession.
• Denial of Legality: Pakistan rejects the Instrument of Accession to avoid admitting illegal occupation.
• Article 257: Pakistani Constitution itself says Jammu & Kashmir is not formally part of Pakistan unless people choose to join.
• Contradictory Laws: Pakistan’s interim constitution forces loyalty to accession with Pakistan, contradicting Article 257.
• UN Violations: Pakistan didn’t withdraw troops from Kashmir as required by the 1948 UN resolution, blocking the plebiscite process.
• No Right to Attack: Pakistan’s justification for the invasion lacked legal standing under the UN Charter.
• Admitted Complicity: Pakistani leaders later admitted their role in the invasion, as confirmed by General Akbar Khan in his book Raiders in Kashmir.
• CPEC Violations: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor runs through disputed Gilgit-Baltistan, violating international law and displacing locals.
• Suppression of Dissent: Activists opposing CPEC in Gilgit-Baltistan and other regions are charged under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act—despite it having no legal jurisdiction there.
• Double Standards: Pakistan’s actions in Jammu & Kashmir contradict the same international legal principles it uses to support its claim over the Durand Line.

The Plight of the Pashtuns Along the Durand Line

The Pashtun population, split by the Durand Line between Pakistan and Afghanistan, faces a stateless existence similar to the struggles of Kashmiris. While Pakistan firmly upholds the 1893 Durand Line Agreement to maintain its territorial claims, it ignores the Pashtuns’ right to self-determination, as doing otherwise would contradict its position on the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir. The Durand Line divides villages, families, and farmlands, disrupting centuries-old tribal unity. Despite having a rich cultural identity and code of ethics called Pashtunwali, which emphasizes defending their land, Pashtuns remain without a unified homeland—living under artificial political boundaries that contradict geography, culture, and history.

• Divided People: The Durand Line splits Pashtun communities, villages, and farmland between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• Selective Legal Standards: Pakistan supports the Durand Line’s legality due to self-interest, while rejecting self-determination for the Pashtuns.
• Cultural Identity: Pashtuns are the world’s largest segmentary ethnic group, with a strong moral code called Pashtunwali.
• Pashtunwali Values: Includes justice, hospitality, honour, land protection, and defending Pashtun territory (Hewaad).
• Paradox of Statelessness: Despite a duty to defend their land, Pashtuns lack a recognized state or unified homeland.
• Difficult Terrain: The mountainous geography, especially in Waziristan, makes border control hard, with frequent cross-border movement.
• Critics of the Border: Experts describe the Durand Line as an unnatural and illogical boundary cutting through a single culture.

Terrorism and Instability Around the Durand Line

The porous Durand Line between Afghanistan and Pakistan has become a hub for terrorist and criminal activity due to poor border control and political negligence. Pakistan’s failure to fully integrate its tribal Pashtun regions and manage governance has allowed militant groups like the Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to thrive. Despite initial hopes that the Afghan Taliban would support Pakistan’s border claims, they refused to recognize the Durand Line, instead fueling Pashtun nationalism. The lack of joint security efforts, intelligence sharing, and basic governance has led to rising violence, mistrust, and instability. Attempts like fencing the border further alienate local tribes and worsen bilateral tension.

• Porous Border: The Durand Line is poorly controlled, enabling terrorists and criminals to cross freely.
• Governance Gap: Pakistan has not effectively integrated tribal Pashtun areas or provided basic administration.
• ISI’s Miscalculation: Pakistan’s support for the Afghan Taliban backfired as they rejected the Durand Line and promoted Pashtun nationalism.
• Taliban Resurgence: Groups like TTP operate in areas like South Waziristan, expanding their networks in border regions.
• Lack of Coordination: Poor intelligence sharing and no joint border patrols worsen the threat on both sides.
• Civilian Impact: Tribal populations suffer from cross-border violence and militant activity.
• Fencing Controversy: Pakistan’s barbed wire fence plan alienates locals and deepens hostility, with Afghan leaders strongly opposing it.
• Global Concern: European leaders highlight the West’s role in ignoring the issue and stress the need to address the Durand Line for lasting regional peace.
• Strategic Urgency: Without resolving the border dispute, terrorist safe havens will continue to thrive in this ambiguous zone.

Impact on Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)

The outdated laws governing Pakistan’s tribal border regions, especially FATA, continue to reflect colonial-era oppression and hinder human rights and development. Under the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), residents are denied basic legal rights like appeal, legal representation, and fair trials. These laws, rooted in British colonial rule, allow for collective punishment and unchecked authority by unelected tribal councils. Despite promises of reform, these outdated structures remain, leading to extreme poverty, lack of education, and displacement. This makes the region a hotspot for extremism, smuggling, and crime. Real change requires updating these laws and rethinking the Durand Line to ensure justice, development, and peace in the region

• Colonial Law Still in Use: FATA is governed by the British-era Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), denying residents the right to appeal, legal counsel, or modern trials.
• Collective Punishment: FCR allows the entire family or tribe to be punished for one person’s crime.
• Severe Human Rights Violations: Individuals can be jailed without a stated crime, tried by jirgas (tribal councils), and banned from entering other parts of Pakistan.
• Dire Economic Conditions: FATA is Pakistan’s poorest region with a per capita income of $250; 65% live below the poverty line.
• Mass Displacement: Around half of FATA’s 6.5 million population lives outside the region due to poverty and conflict.
• Breeding Ground for Terrorism: Desperation and lawlessness make locals easy targets for militant recruitment and exploitation.
• Criminal Activities Thrive: The area has become a hub for opium trade, arms smuggling, human trafficking, and other illicit operations.
• Need for Reform: To end extremism, Pakistan must replace colonial laws with modern governance and development frameworks.
• Durand Line Questioned: The legitimacy of the Durand Line is tied to outdated governance; global attention and legal reassessment are essential.
• Call for Global Responsibility: Ignoring Pakistan’s legal inconsistencies could undermine international law and peace efforts globally.

Impact on Pakistan-Afghan Relations

1. Divided Pashtuns: The Durand Line cuts through Pashtun tribal lands, separating families and communities. This fuels Pashtun nationalism and movements for unification, creating instability in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
2. Unresolved Border Dispute: Afghanistan has never formally recognized the Durand Line, arguing it’s an illegitimate imposition. This unresolved dispute creates constant tension and hinders trust-building between the two countries.
3. Sanctuary for Militants: The porous border allows militant groups like the Taliban to find safe havens on either side. This impacts regional security and fuels suspicion between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
4. Limited Access for Afghanistan: As Pakistan controls the main land route to the Arabian Sea, Afghanistan remains landlocked. This dependence strengthens Pakistan’s strategic position and hinders Afghanistan’s economic development.
5. Geopolitical Tug-of-War: The Line becomes a pawn in the larger regional game. External powers can exploit tensions to further their interests, adding another layer of complexity.

Durand Line In India Map

The length of Durand Line spans over 2,650 Kilometers. Its longitudinal extent covers regions of Iran right up to China. More specifically, it covers Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan.

The Line between India and Afghanistan is no longer a part of the Indian Map. The partition of Pakistan in 1947 withdrew India from this.

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Controversies and Disputes

The historical disputes run parallel with the modern-day concerns. Despite marginal differences in form and expression, it sheds light on how little has changed. The Durand Line dispute is the culprit behind two dehumanizing acts against Afghanistan: The third Anglo-Afghan War and the Jalalabad Bombing.

Influence on Regional Politics

Durand Line provoked the Pashtun-Punjabi dispute. It harboured harmful sentiments against divided regions. It also collectively contributed to the flaws in the political system.

Border Incidents and Cross-Border Movements

Some speculate that the Durand Line is a means to illegal trade. The smuggling of substances is also a point of concern. Moreover, the expansion of Frontier Corps threatens the people living there. It directly restricts the free movement of militants and families.

Records of Pakistan pushing its borders into Chaman after 2001 were also noticed. It built into the case that the conflict over the Durand Line could all be a ploy for greater political moves.

What is the present status of the Durand Line?

The Durand Line remains a disputed and sensitive border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. While it is internationally recognized as Pakistan’s western boundary, Afghanistan never accepted it, claiming the Durand Commission’s mandate has expired and the land rightfully belongs to Afghanistan. The Line, drawn during British colonial rule, splits the Pashtun population and disregards tribal unity. This has sparked calls for Pashtun autonomy or even independence. The porous border allows uncontrolled movement—up to 60,000 people—which fuels militancy and regional instability. Despite Pakistan fencing the border in 2006 and international efforts to mediate, the issue remains unresolved and central to South Asian geopolitics.

• Durand Commission Dispute: Afghanistan claims the 1893 agreement by the Durand Commission has expired; Pakistan dismisses this.
• International Recognition: The Durand Line is widely accepted as Pakistan’s official western border, though not by Afghanistan.
• Pashtun Division: The Line splits Pashtun tribes, leading to demands for autonomy or a separate Pashtun state.
• Border Security Issues: The porous border allows unchecked movement of around 60,000 people, increasing militant activity.
• Fencing Attempt: Pakistan began fencing the border in 2006 to improve control and security.
• UN Involvement: International tensions led to UN mediation, but friction between the two nations persists.
• Strategic Importance: Both nations view the region as key for access to the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
• Colonial Legacy: Afghanistan argues the border was unjustly imposed by colonial powers, ignoring tribal realities.

Other Important Border Boundary Lines

1. The McMahon Line:

• This international boundary separates India’s northeastern states from Tibet, an autonomous region of China.
• It was established in 1914 at the Shimla Convention, proposed by British Indian Army officer Sir Henry McMahon.
• While accepted by Tibet and British India, China disputes the McMahon Line, arguing that Tibet lacked the authority to enter into such an agreement.
• The Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the eastern sector largely coincides with the McMahon Line, marking the de facto boundary between Indian and Chinese-controlled territories.

2. The Radcliffe Line:

• The Radcliffe Line, named after Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who chaired the Boundary Commissions, was drawn to partition British India into India and Pakistan.
• It demarcated the border between West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and India in the west and between India and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in the east.
• The Radcliffe Line continues to serve as the international boundary between India and Pakistan in the west and between India and Bangladesh in the east.

Facts about the Durand Line

1. The Durand Line is the 2,430 km long border dividing Afghanistan and Pakistan, established in 1893 by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand and Afghan Emir Abdur Rahman Khan.
2. It was created to define spheres of influence and improve British-Indian and Afghan relations, cutting through Pashtun and Baloch homelands.
3. While internationally recognized as Pakistan’s western border, modern Afghanistan does not accept it.
4. The border was modified under the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 but was not renewed after its 100-year term ended in 1999.
5. This region is considered one of the most dangerous, plagued by conflicts, lawlessness, and drug trafficking tied to the Golden Crescent, a major global drug network.

Conclusion

The Durand Line remains a significant and controversial border, with its complex history and ongoing implications for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the surrounding regions. While it serves as the internationally recognized boundary for Pakistan, its impact on ethnic divisions, regional conflict, and security challenges makes it one of the most contentious borders in modern times. The historical decisions made over a century ago continue to shape the geopolitical landscape and contribute to the ongoing tensions in the area.

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