ISLAMABAD: China has stepped up diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan that have persisted for the past several days, sending its Special Representative for Afghanistan to Kabul for consultations.
According to media reports, China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Yu Xiaoyong held a meeting on Sunday with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul to discuss bilateral cooperation and the deteriorating regional security situation.
In a statement, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the meeting focused on strengthening relations and addressing the rising tensions in the region.
The Chinese envoy urged the Afghan authorities to resolve tensions with Pakistan through diplomacy and dialogue, stressing that reducing tensions between the two neighbouring countries was essential for regional peace and stability.
Yu Xiaoyong said China remained in contact with both Pakistan and Afghanistan to help improve the situation.
The diplomatic initiative comes at a time when reports of border tensions and clashes between the two countries have emerged.
Officials in Islamabad maintain that the Afghan government has failed to curb cross-border militant groups, leaving Pakistan with little option but to take military measures.
Pakistan has repeatedly stated that militants belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operate from hideouts inside Afghanistan and carry out attacks in Pakistan. Islamabad says it has repeatedly urged Kabul to take action against these groups.
The Taliban government in Afghanistan, however, has consistently rejected these allegations and accused Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty through attacks inside its territory.
During the meeting with the Chinese envoy, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi described Pakistan’s actions as “aggression” and said Afghanistan wanted to resolve issues through peaceful means.
He added that protecting the country and its people remained the Afghan government’s fundamental responsibility.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Defence Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid said in an interview that Afghanistan did not seek war with any country but reserved the right to defend its territory and people.
He assured that the Afghan government would not allow its territory to be used against any other country, but warned that any threat to Afghan citizens would be met with a decisive response.
Diplomatic observers say China, which maintains strong ties with both Pakistan and Afghanistan, is attempting to bring the two sides to the negotiating table amid concerns that prolonged tensions could destabilize the region.
China has significant strategic and economic interests in the area, particularly through its Belt and Road Initiative, and is concerned about security conditions near its western borders.