High-Stakes Urumqi Talks: Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China Hold Crucial Meeting Amid Rising Tensions
First high-level dialogue since border escalation focuses on trust-building, security concerns, and regional stability
Urumqi: In a significant diplomatic development, officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China are set to meet in Urumqi under a trilateral framework, marking the first high-level engagement between Islamabad and Kabul since tensions escalated earlier this year.
The meeting follows Pakistan’s military operation “Ghazab Lil-Haq,” launched on February 26, targeting alleged militant hideouts inside Afghanistan. According to media reports, the talks are not formal mediation but rather an exploratory platform aimed at exchanging views on recent tensions. Immediate breakthroughs are not expected, though China is pushing confidence-building measures such as reopening trade routes and improving communication channels between the two neighbors.
The dialogue is being held at Beijing’s request, reportedly after Kabul sought China’s assistance in bringing Pakistan to the negotiating table. One of China’s key concerns remains the presence of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which it believes operates from Afghan territory.
Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to press for action against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), accusing the group of launching attacks from safe havens in Afghanistan. Officials indicate that Afghanistan has shown some willingness to engage constructively, including discussing verifiable mechanisms to address concerns related to militant groups.
Described as “exploratory” in nature, the talks aim to assess Kabul’s seriousness in resolving these issues. The Pakistani delegation includes representatives from diplomatic, military, and intelligence sectors, while Afghanistan’s team comprises officials from its interior and foreign ministries, along with intelligence representatives. The discussions are being held at the Director-General level.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have intensified since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Afghan government to dismantle militant networks operating from its soil, claims it says have largely gone unaddressed.
Although both sides briefly paused hostilities during Eid al-Fitr, underlying tensions persist. Recent military actions, according to Pakistan, were triggered by unprovoked cross-border firing.
International actors such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey have called for de-escalation. Pakistan’s military leadership, including Asim Munir, has stressed that lasting peace depends on Afghanistan taking decisive action against militant groups.
The Urumqi talks are being viewed as an initial step toward easing tensions, though significant challenges remain on the path to long-term regional stability.
