Saman Hamid
There is constant assault from the East and West. Most of the threats emanate from the East, our more than friendly neighbors the Indians are unable to understand the fact that co-existence and thriving together as a region maybe better as an option rather than sabotaging Pakistan. One of the biggest strategic partners of Indians in their “efforts” at destabilizing Pakistan especially in the wake of CPEC is Afghanistan. With an investment projects of nearly a Billion dollars, in power projects including housing projects worth $450 Million. With a historic inclination towards our great “democracy” Afghans have always served Indian interests. In recent days President Ghani and Karzai have been actively supporting Indian agenda. Rajiv Dogra a veteran Indian diplomat has ventured into our internal affairs with his latest offering, exploring the Durand Line and circumstances in which it was signed. A veteran Engineer by profession, Mr. Dogra’s stint in Karachi’s embassy in the early 90s is his real claim to fame. Like a pseudo specialist his book claims to explore the intricacies of the Durand agreement. Mr. Dogra tries to perhaps build his own country’s political interests or maybe tries to resonate Amir Abdur Rehman with his ownpolitical leaders by doubting his state of mind when the agreement was signed. The book has just been launched and one is yet to find out the basis of this “eye opening” analysis by the writer. The interest in the Pak-Afghan border has always been in the limelight but it has gained greater prominence after the closure of the border for an indefinite period post February 16, this year. This was as a response from Pakistan after the recent wave of terror and the statements from both borders as well as valid links established by the law enforcement.
The Durand line agreement is not something that was coaxed overnight. The Durand line was a result of the power struggle between Russians and British. The origins of the treaty can bet raced back to 1873 when the British sought a reply from Russia over Badakhshan and Wakhan. The Russian-Afghan border was drawn in 1888 by the Russo-Anglo Joint Boundary Commission. In an attempt to contain Russian advancement towards South Asia, the British pressurized them into demarcating the Russo-Persian frontier. The Russian were equally suspicious of the British and were forced into a protocol in 1887. Now it was Russia’s turn to have Britain demarcate Afghanistan’s southern frontier.in 1888, emir Abdur Rahman wrote a letter to Lord Dufferin, viceroy of India, requesting a mission to Kabul to settle the Indo-Afghan border. The DLA was signed, after hectic negotiations, by the emir and Sir Mortimer Durand in 1893 in Rawalpindi. It is interesting to note that post British invasion the Afghans signed a “Grandamak Treaty” in 1879 indirectly occupying them the treaty allowed the British to handle Afghan border relations. Post Elphinstone Mission to Peshawar in 1809, the Durand Line was a “better-off” deal for Afghanistan almost 80 years later.
Unlike the propaganda gurus the active boundary demarcation continues upto 1908 and beyond. Others argue that the Emir signed it in his personal capacity and there are referrals to Afghan treaty of 1921 enforcing it for three years. Emmir Abdur Rahman signed the Durand Line Accord as a head of state and it was ratified by emir Habibullah in 1905 and Afghanistan independence was recognized by the British. The Treaty of Peace, 1919 clearly ratifies the Indo-Afghan frontier accepted by Abdur Rahman. The 1921 treaty’s main focus was on maintaining good ties and trade concessions, which Afghanistan still enjoys in the form of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit and Trade Agreement, 2010. A treaty reaffirmed and ratified several times cannot be revoked unilaterally. There is also criticism as to the fact that it was between the British and Afghans before Pakistan. Pakistan is the successor-in-interest of the British Raj. This principle is enshrined in the Vienna Convention on Succession of States in respect of Treaties, which declares that state successions cannot impact international borders resulting from agreements, including rights and obligations concerning such borders through such pacts. If this were the case then Pak-Iran border should also be criticized as well as various borders Indians share with China, Bangladesh etc. FATA though not under the British voluntarily acceded to Pakistan.
The Afghans should realize that nearly 1.6 million Afghans reside in Pakistan as refugees/citizens. The border crossing enables them to have a shot at opportunities as well as the transit trade is a lifeline for Afghans. Pakistan and her citizens have paid a huge price in the form of groups against her largely serving Indian interests. We try to ignore the fact that this is one “brother” always siding with the enemy from the very beginning. Indians too should realize that what the people of this region can achieve together can never be done in isolation. China is a formidable power and it will take a number of years before Indians become strong enough to counter them. Siding with the Americans can only serve them in the short run. Co-existence and mutual benefits is the way forward. The three wars with Pakistan and the proxy war they have been trying to fight or more or less claimed to have fight will have dire consequences for them as well.
