China Offers to Mediate to Ease Tensions Between Afghanistan and Pakistan
The Foreign Affairs Directorate of the Taliban administration announced that China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, in a meeting with Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, stated that Beijing is in contact with Pakistani officials to reduce tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan and to move their relations toward constructive engagement.
According to a statement from the Directorate, the meeting discussed expanding bilateral relations between Afghanistan and China, recent regional developments, and the situation resulting from what has been described as “Pakistan’s military aggression on Afghanistan’s sovereignty.”
Amir Khan Muttaqi described Kabul-Beijing relations as positive and expressed hope that cooperation in various sectors will expand further. He also presented the Taliban administration’s stance regarding recent Pakistani attacks on Afghanistan’s “national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” emphasizing that the administration prioritizes resolving problems through dialogue but considers defending the country a right.
Nonetheless, ongoing tensions along the border and the absence of a clear and nationally accepted framework for managing foreign policy have once again raised concerns about the Taliban administration’s crisis management capabilities. Critics believe that the continued political ambiguity and lack of international legitimacy limit Afghanistan’s capacity to effectively pursue regional diplomacy.
Meanwhile, China’s special envoy emphasized that China seeks to resolve issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan through dialogue and diplomacy and strives to prevent rising tensions in the region. He added that Beijing is in contact with Pakistani counterparts to create conditions for easing tensions and strengthening relations between the two neighboring countries.
