Content:
- The rebounding of Pakistan’s Afghan strategy
- More flexibility, but also greater challenges
The Rebounding of Pakistan’s Afghan Strategy
- Pakistan’s long-standing strategy of using Afghanistan as a “strategic depth” against perceived regional threats, especially India, is now backfiring, turning Afghanistan into a “strategic ditch” for Islamabad.
- The return of the Afghan Taliban, once considered a key ally, has complicated Pakistan’s internal security situation due to the resurgence of groups like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Here’s a breakdown of the critical points in the analysis:
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Practice Question : Analyze the key challenges faced by Pakistan in its Afghan strategy post the Taliban’s return to power. Discuss the impact of these challenges on India.(250 Words)
Historical Context of Pakistan’s Afghan Policy
- Pakistan’s Support to the Afghan Taliban: For decades, Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies have supported the Afghan Taliban, providing safe havens and logistical backing to fight Western-backed Afghan governments.
- Strategic Depth Miscalculation: Pakistan pursued the idea of a friendly regime in Kabul to ensure strategic depth against India. However, the Taliban’s return has destabilized the region, challenging Pakistan’s own security.
Current Crisis with the TTP
- The TTP shares ideological and operational links with the Afghan Taliban, posing a direct threat to Pakistan.
- In 2024, Pakistan saw a sharp rise in terrorist attacks by the TTP. Pakistan’s security forces launched 60,000 counter-terrorism operations, but the TTP remains entrenched.
- Despite Pakistan’s pleas, the Afghan Taliban has refused to act against the TTP, highlighting the limits of Pakistan’s influence over its former proxies.
Diplomatic and Military Tensions
- Diplomatic Efforts Failing: Pakistan’s envoy to Afghanistan, Muhammad Sadiq Khan, visited Kabul in December 2024 to de-escalate tensions, but airstrikes by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) against TTP targets in Afghanistan deepened the rift.
- Retaliation by the Afghan Taliban: Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence claimed to retaliate against Pakistan, further straining relations. The Taliban referred to the Durand Line as a “hypothetical line,” indicating refusal to recognize it as an official border.
The Durand Line and Pashtun Nationalism
- Pashtun Nationalism: The Taliban’s opposition to the Durand Line and their refusal to treat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a Pakistani province has revived the idea of Pashtunistan.
- This fuels Afghan irredentism, which has historical roots in Afghanistan’s claim over Pakistan’s Pashtun territories.
- Pakistan’s attempt to fence the border has been met with fierce opposition from Afghan border forces.
Pakistan’s Limited Options
- Pakistan is under domestic pressure to act against the TTP. Calls for U.S. drone bases and targeted operations have emerged, indicating Islamabad’s desperation.
- However, Pakistan is hesitant to recognize the Taliban regime unilaterally, unlike in the 1990s, as it faces an existential threat from the TTP and other extremist groups.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan’s Afghan policy is a case of self-inflicted wounds. Its support for extremist groups has backfired, turning former proxies into threats.
- The TTP-Afghan Taliban nexus has undermined Pakistan’s internal security.
- Durand Line disputes and Pashtun nationalism pose long-term challenges.
- Pakistan’s reliance on military coercion has reached its limits. Diplomatic efforts are failing.
Pakistan’s Afghan strategy is now a complex security dilemma with no easy solutions. Its past policies, driven by short-term gains and India-centric paranoia, have left the country with shrinking options to deal with the growing menace of terrorism.
More flexibility, but also greater challenges
- The University Grants Commission’s (UGC) recent guidelines on accelerated and extended degree programmes represent a significant shift in India’s higher education landscape.
- This reform is aimed at offering students more autonomy and flexibility, allowing them to accelerate or extend their academic timelines.
- While this has the potential to modernize and globalize Indian higher education, it also introduces several challenges.
Relevance : GS 2(Education )
Practice Question : Critically assess the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new guidelines for accelerated and extended degree programmes in India. How do these reforms align with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020?(250 Words )
Advantages of the New Degree Formats
Greater Autonomy for Students:
- The accelerated degree programme offers the opportunity for students to complete their degrees faster, which can be beneficial for those eager to enter the workforce early or reduce tuition costs.
- The extended degree programme offers flexibility, allowing students to explore diverse subjects, take on internships, engage in research projects, and balance personal commitments alongside academic pursuits.
- These reforms align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s call for multidisciplinary education, aiming to create well-rounded graduates with both technical expertise and soft skills.
International Alignment:
- By introducing a flexible credit system, the reforms align Indian higher education with international standards, promoting greater mobility for Indian students within India and abroad.
Challenges and Concerns
Educational Depth and Rigour
- Accelerated Programmes: Compressing the standard duration may result in a superficial understanding of key concepts. Technical education, such as engineering, requires deep knowledge of theory and practice.
- Shortened programmes could risk diluting the quality of education, particularly in disciplines requiring in-depth learning and practical application, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering principles.
- Extended Programmes: While allowing more time for specialisation, there is a risk that students may lack academic urgency, possibly resulting in longer study periods than necessary, which could devalue the degree in the long run.
Technical Education Adaptation
- Engineering students, who require hands-on experience and problem-solving skills, may suffer in an accelerated programme.
- The pressure to complete studies rapidly could limit the time available for practical projects, lab work, and internships, which are crucial to develop technical competencies.
- Similarly, while the extended degree option allows for specialisation, it may lead to financial strain for students from less privileged backgrounds.
Practical and Structural Challenges
Curriculum and Teaching Methodology Overhaul:
- Transitioning to more flexible degree formats will necessitate curricular restructuring and innovative teaching methodologies. Universities already face resource constraints, making this transition potentially challenging.
Digital Divide:
- The shift towards greater digitalisation in education could exacerbate the digital divide, leaving underprivileged students at a disadvantage.
Administrative and Evaluation Systems:
- Managing the flexible credit system, tracking student progress, credit transfers, and recognising academic achievements requires robust administrative frameworks. Institutions may face difficulties in effectively implementing these systems without adequate infrastructure and support.
Equity and Inclusivity Issues:
- Students from underprivileged backgrounds may struggle to navigate the new system. Without proper guidance and support, they could fall behind, leading to increased dropout rates.
Faculty Adaptation and Support
- Teachers will need to undergo professional development to adapt to the new pedagogical models. Effective implementation will rely not only on students’ ability to adjust to these changes but also on educators’ capacity to support them.
Potential for Transformation
While these reforms present several hurdles, they also hold the potential to revolutionize higher education in India. If carefully planned and executed, with adequate investment in infrastructure, faculty, and support systems, the accelerated and extended degree programmes could:
- Improve educational quality by offering students greater flexibility in managing their academic timelines.
- Create globally competitive graduates who are better equipped to meet evolving market demands.
- Contribute to India’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, fostering a dynamic, adaptable, and future-ready workforce.
However, the success of these reforms will hinge on how well India can address the structural, practical, and equity-related challenges that come with them
