A new round of peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan is currently underway in China, following a period of deadly fighting between the two nations. Beijing is mediating the discussions in an effort to broker a lasting ceasefire.

Recent Escalation of Conflict

The confirmation of these talks comes after officials from both countries traveled to Urumqi in northern China for an initial round of negotiations. Weeks of fighting have resulted in hundreds of deaths and disrupted trade and cross-border travel.

Pakistan's Stance and Demands

Pakistani officials confirmed their delegation’s presence in Urumqi, reiterating their commitment to a credible peace process. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Andrabi stated, “Pakistan has sent a delegation to Urumqi, in line with its consistent position and longstanding practice of supporting a credible process that can help find a durable solution to cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan.”

Andrabi emphasized the need for demonstrable action from Afghanistan against terrorist groups operating within its borders. “The burden of a real process lies with Afghanistan, which must demonstrate visible and verifiable action against terrorist groups using Afghan soil against Pakistan,” he said. Pakistan is seeking written assurances that Afghan territory will not be used for attacks.

Afghanistan's Response

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed that a “mid-level delegation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” traveled to Urumqi at the invitation of China. Balkhi expressed hope that diplomatic engagement, based on mutual respect, can lead to “practical and lasting solutions” to bilateral issues.

China's Role as Mediator

While China has not officially confirmed the talks, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the government has been “actively mediating and facilitating the resolution of conflicts between Afghanistan and Pakistan.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning affirmed China’s support for dialogue and negotiation between the two sides.

Recent Cross-Border Incidents

On Wednesday, Farid Dehqan, a police spokesperson in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, reported that Pakistani mortars struck Afghan territory, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and injuries to six others, including four children. The shelling continued for two hours after it began.

Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of harboring militants, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who launch attacks within Pakistan. Kabul denies these allegations. The recent fighting is the deadliest since February, when Pakistan launched strikes in Afghanistan, claiming to target TTP hideouts.

History of Tensions

Previous talks in January resulted in a ceasefire that largely held until Pakistan’s strikes in late February, triggering renewed border clashes. The ongoing violence has raised concerns within the international community, given the presence of groups like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group in the region.