China06 April, 20261 min read
Afghanistan and Pakistan Hold Constructive Peace Talks in China
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Talks held in Urumqi, China, to halt cross-border clashes. Talks are constructive, with progress toward de-escalation, Kabul says.
Talks Underway in Urumqi
Afghanistan and Pakistan began peace talks in China's western city of Urumqi following an invitation by China to halt cross-border fighting. Afghanistan's Taliban-run Foreign Ministry described the discussions as useful and constructive, while Pakistan did not comment directly. The talks marked the first substantive engagement since Pakistan declared it was in open war and launched air strikes, including in Kabul.
Despite the talks, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of shelling that killed and wounded civilians. The UN said the conflict displaced 94,000 people overall.
Diplomatic Exchanges and Mediation
Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister met with China's ambassador and thanked Beijing for arranging the talks. Pakistani officials did not respond directly.
Pakistani military leaders vowed to continue their operation until terrorist safe havens are brought to an end. The talks so far have involved mid-level delegations.
Humanitarian Impact and Regional Concerns
The fighting displaced tens of thousands and exacerbated regional instability fears. The UN said 94,000 people were displaced overall.
The conflict has alarmed the international community given the presence of al-Qaeda and ISIL. The gap between diplomatic efforts and military realities remained stark.