The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Chaman. PHOTO: ARCHIVE
BEIJING:
Technical-level delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan concluded the first round of Chinese-facilitated talks in Urumqi, with both sides “committed to resolving differences as soon as possible,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said in a regular briefing that the meetings, held from April 1 to 7, “were held in a healthy atmosphere,” adding that the process reflected “a problem-solving, result-seeking and action-oriented approach.”
The talks followed understandings reached earlier between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Mao said.
According to her, interdepartmental delegations from the three countries participated, including officials responsible for foreign affairs, defense and security, underscoring the breadth of the issues under discussion.
He said the Afghan and Pakistani delegations “praised” the initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, particularly the emphasis on “seeking common ground despite differences” and resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation.
Both sides also “praised and thanked China for the mediation effort and careful arrangement as the host country,” while expressing appreciation for Beijing’s “fair and equitable position and maximum effort,” Mao added.
Reiterating their commitments, the Afghan and Pakistani delegations stated that they “follow the purposes and spirit of the UN Charter and the five principles of peaceful coexistence” and are “committed to resolving differences as soon as possible.”
The spokesperson said the two sides also reiterated that they are “Muslim brothers and neighbors” and agreed to “refrain from actions that could escalate or complicate the situation,” signaling a shared intention to avoid further deterioration of bilateral relations.
Mao said intense bilateral and trilateral engagements were maintained during the seven-day period, and China concluded that maintaining friendly relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan is “of vital importance” for both countries, as well as for peace and stability in South Asia.
He stressed that the parties agreed that “dialogue and consultation are the viable and effective way to resolve complex international disputes.” They also identified “core and priority issues” that require attention and agreed to “discuss a comprehensive plan” to resolve them, Mao said.
“Terrorism is the core issue affecting relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Mao said. China, he added, is willing to “maintain communication with both sides, provide a platform for dialogue and continue to play a constructive role” to enhance trilateral cooperation.
Concluding his remarks, Mao said the three sides viewed the Urumqi process as “substantive” and agreed to maintain communication and dialogue, indicating that while talks have ended for now, the diplomatic track will continue.
In the talks, Pakistan conveyed three core demands to the Afghan Taliban regime: declare Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan a terrorist organisation, dismantle its infrastructure and provide verifiable evidence of its action.
In Peshawar, an official told The Express PAkGazette over the phone that Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to seek a comprehensive solution to the issues, including trade, and an announcement is expected soon. The next meeting will be held at the end of this month.
Sources told The Express PAkGazette that the Urumqi talks were positive and both sides presented their demands to each other, adding that they agreed to seek a comprehensive solution to the ongoing conflict and avoid measures that could further complicate the situation.
Technical teams from both sides held five sessions in China, they said. The first was introductory; the second and third focused on the TTP, Afghan sovereignty and the non-use of each other’s land for hostile activities; and the fourth addressed the TTP and modalities to resolve the problems.
Kabul also confirmed that the talks took place in a constructive and collaborative environment. The framework included reduction of border tensions, counter-terrorism cooperation, gradual restoration of trade routes, orderly and dignified management of refugees and a rapid communication mechanism.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul, said in a press release that the discussions comprehensively addressed bilateral relations, security concerns and issues related to regional stability.
The talks came as Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq in the last week of February, after Kabul ignored repeated calls from Islamabad to curb militants using Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
(WITH INPUTS FROM OUR PESHAWAR CORRESPONDENT, SHAHABULLAH YOUSAFZAI)
