China and Pakistan discuss Afghanistan security and Urumqi Process

China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to discuss the China-facilitated Urumqi Process and regional security concerns.

Yue Xiaoyong, said the meeting focused on the China-facilitated process launched in April.

“It was a great pleasure meeting with Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, today in Islamabad,” Yue said in a post on X.

“We recalled the great celebrations recently held in both countries for the 75th anniversary of our strongest diplomatic ties and discussed constructively about the Urumqi Process started in April,” he added.

Sadiq said the talks also focused on security threats in the region.

“Welcomed my Chinese counterpart Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong and his delegation to Islamabad,” Sadiq said.

“Held productive talks on regional security, including threats from TTP and ETIM operating from Afghan soil. Agreed to strengthen coordination and synchronize counter-terrorism efforts to protect regional peace and stability,” he added.

The Urumqi Process

The Urumqi Process refers to informal talks hosted by China in Urumqi, Xinjiang, from 1 to 7 April. The discussions brought together officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan and China, including representatives from foreign affairs, defence and security departments.

Chinese officials said the three sides agreed that dialogue was the most viable way to resolve disputes and that terrorism remained one of the main issues affecting relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Pakistan’s demands and Kabul’s response

Pakistan has demanded that Kabul take visible and verifiable action against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad says operates from Afghan soil. Kabul, however, rejects the claim.

• China urges Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve border dispute through dialogue as clashes enter seventh day
• Afghanistan and Pakistan hold talks in China as Beijing seeks to ease rising tensions
• Xi hails China and Pakistan's 'unbreakable' friendship as $1.22 billion in deals signed

In an interview with the BBC on Sunday, Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson for the Afghan authorities, said some of Pakistan’s demands were unrealistic.

“Problems can be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding, and there is no issue without a solution. However, some of Pakistan’s demands are unrealistic and cannot be implemented by Afghanistan,” Fitrat said.

He said Afghanistan’s position was based on respect for its territorial integrity and national sovereignty, as well as an end to attacks on the Afghan people.

Mediation efforts

Previous mediation efforts by Qatar, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have failed to produce a long-term settlement between the two neighbours. While those initiatives helped keep channels of dialogue open, no agreement has so far ended the violence or resolved the main security disputes between Kabul and Islamabad.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it documented 372 civilian deaths and 397 injuries resulting from cross-border armed violence between 1 January and 31 March 2026.

Tags

News Politics China Pakistan Afghanistan Middle East Urumqi process Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan