Two neighboring nations have pledged to pursue diplomatic solutions rather than military action following deadly border clashes that claimed hundreds of lives, according to Chinese officials who facilitated peace negotiations.
Representatives from Afghanistan and Pakistan concluded a week of discussions in Urumqi, a city in western China, where they committed to avoiding further military escalation while working toward long-term peace, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced during Wednesday’s briefing in Beijing.
“The three parties agreed to explore a comprehensive solution to the issues in the relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and clarified the core and priority issues that need to be addressed,” Mao stated during her daily press conference.
According to the Chinese spokesperson, all participants recognized that “terrorism is the core issue affecting the relationship” between the two countries.
The warring nations promised they won’t “take actions that would escalate or complicate the situation,” officials said.
While Pakistani authorities remained silent about the diplomatic discussions, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi confirmed the completion of the China-hosted negotiations on Wednesday.
Writing on social media platform X, Balkhi described the sessions as taking place in a “constructive atmosphere,” covering topics including diplomatic ties, security concerns and regional peace. He expressed gratitude to Beijing for facilitating the discussions and voiced optimism that the diplomatic process would enhance trust and cooperation throughout the region.
Chinese officials initiated the peace talks last week following the outbreak of hostilities between the neighboring countries in February.
Pakistan had declared itself in “open war” with Afghanistan and conducted aerial bombardments on Afghan territory, including strikes in the capital city of Kabul.
On Tuesday, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry characterized the negotiations as productive.
The United Nations humanitarian coordination office reported Tuesday that the military confrontation has forced 94,000 residents to flee their homes, while an additional 100,000 civilians in two Afghan border districts have been completely isolated by the fighting since February.
Despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Afghan officials have repeatedly accused Pakistan of conducting artillery attacks across the international boundary during the peace talks.
Pakistani authorities claim Afghanistan provides sanctuary to extremist groups responsible for deadly attacks on Pakistani soil, particularly the Pakistani Taliban organization known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. This militant group maintains separate operations from but shares allegiances with the Afghan Taliban, which assumed control of Afghanistan in 2021 after American-led forces withdrew. Afghan leadership rejects these allegations.
