Kabul: In a significant geopolitical development, the Afghan Taliban has reportedly refused to acknowledge Pakistan’s control over Gilgit-Baltistan, a territory that Pakistan has occupied since 1947. This move has raised concerns in Islamabad and has broader implications for regional dynamics, particularly in the context of India’s claims to Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

According to media reports, while marking boundaries in several districts of Badakhshan province, including those adjacent to Pakistan and the official boundaries with Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Tajikistan, the Taliban did not recognize Pakistan’s claim over Gilgit-Baltistan. On July 22, Zee News reported that the Taliban refrained from using the term "Pakistan-occupied territory," signaling Afghanistan’s disregard for Pakistan’s assertions over PoJK.

This development comes as the Taliban announces plans to revise its borders with all Central Asian countries. Afghanistan’s Acting Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Abdul Latif Mansour, stated on August 7 that Afghanistan's borders with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan have been eroded by floods and need to be restored. This revision plan, developed under the guidance of the Taliban's supreme leader, will be implemented with the involvement of multiple ministries, including Interior, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and the General Intelligence Directorate.

Strategic Implications for India
The Taliban’s reported non-recognition of Pakistan’s claims over Gilgit-Baltistan aligns with India’s stance, bolstering India’s argument that it shares a border with Afghanistan via the Wakhan Corridor in Badakhshan province. Historically, Afghanistan has not accepted the Durand Line as the official boundary with Pakistan. In February 2024, Afghanistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai reiterated that Afghanistan would never recognize the Durand Line, further straining bilateral relations with Pakistan.

India has long contested Pakistan’s occupation of PoJK and views this development as reinforcing its legitimate claim to the region. The Wakhan Corridor’s strategic significance cannot be overlooked, as it serves as a key geographical link between India and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

Regional Tensions and China’s Role
The refusal of the Taliban to acknowledge Pakistan’s claims also highlights the complex regional dynamics involving China. China, which has substantial influence over Tajikistan due to the latter’s debt dependence, has acquired over 1,100 square kilometers of Tajik land in the Pamir mountains and constructed a military base near the Wakhan Corridor. This region is critical for China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its broader strategic interests.

The China-Afghanistan border, established by a 1963 agreement, has also played a role in shaping regional boundaries without explicitly acknowledging disputed territories like PoJK. Recent reports suggest that the Taliban may have considered this agreement when deciding not to recognize Pakistan’s claims over Gilgit-Baltistan.

India’s Strategic Response
India’s call to reclaim PoJK has gained renewed relevance in light of these developments. The strategic importance of the Wakhan Corridor and India’s historical connection to Afghanistan underscores the need for a robust policy to assert its claims over PoJK. This includes raising awareness both internationally and domestically about India’s legitimate rights to the region, as well as considering all available options, including the potential use of force, to restore its historical geographical link to Afghanistan.

As regional tensions continue to simmer, the situation demands careful consideration of the evolving geopolitical landscape, particularly in relation to China’s growing influence and the Taliban’s shifting alliances.