Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said talks with the Pakistani delegation, held in Urumqi at China’s initiative, concluded after discussions in what it described as a “constructive atmosphere.”
In a statement, the ministry said the two sides held “comprehensive discussions” on bilateral relations, security issues and matters linked to regional stability.
The ministry also thanked China for its role in hosting and facilitating the talks, adding that it hoped the process would help strengthen “confidence-building, sustained relations, mutual understanding, and effective cooperation.”
China’s foreign ministry said representatives from China, Afghanistan and Pakistan held informal talks in Urumqi from 1 to 7 April, with officials from foreign affairs, defence and security participating.
According to Beijing, the Afghan and Pakistani sides agreed to “refrain from actions that may escalate or complicate the situation” and to work towards resolving differences as soon as possible.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the two sides had agreed to continue communication and dialogue, adding that the Urumqi process had “practical” or substantive importance and that meetings at different levels were expected to continue.
China also said the three sides had agreed to discuss a comprehensive plan for resolving issues in Afghanistan–Pakistan relations and had identified the core and priority issues.
Pakistan has not issued a detailed public statement following the Urumqi talks.
However, Reuters reported that Pakistan’s military leadership, under Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, had earlier vowed to continue operations until “militant havens” and cross-border threats were eliminated. Islamabad says those threats are linked to armed groups operating from Afghan territory, an allegation Kabul denies.
In a separate response, the UK Special Representative for Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay, welcomed the contacts and said continued dialogue was the only path to de-escalation and lasting peace.
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More than 94,000 people have been displaced in Afghanistan since late February due to cross-border fighting, the UN humanitarian agency OCHA said, while nearly 100,000 in Nuristan remain cut off from aid due to insecurity.
Afghanistan has moved to deepen health and trade cooperation with Uzbekistan, while also holding separate talks with Kyrgyz and Uzbek diplomats on regional ties, transit and future joint steps.
Afghanistan’s Minister of Mines and Petroleum, Hedayatullah Badri, has invited Turkish companies to invest in the country’s oil, gas and mining sectors following talks in Kabul with Türkiye’s Chargé d’Affaires, Sadin Ayyıldız.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has sent a mid-level delegation to China for formal talks with Pakistan, as both sides meet in Urumqi amid efforts by Beijing to ease tensions between the neighbours.
China and Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Tuesday aimed at coordinating defensive efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving no agreed international framework for securing the vital route.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah said it had stopped firing on northern Israel and Israeli forces on Wednesday as part of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East brokered between the United States and Iran. However, a Hezbollah lawmaker warned that the pause could collapse if Tel Aviv does not adhere to it.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Iran and the United States, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate two-week ceasefire covering all areas, but Israel says the deal excludes Lebanon. Tel Aviv says the U.S. is committed to achieving shared goals in upcoming negotiations.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he had agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face U.S. attacks on its civilian infrastructure.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday (9 April) he is seeking direct talks with Beirut, a day after the deadliest bombardment of the war killed more than 250 people in Lebanon and put Donald Trump’s U.S.–Iran ceasefire at risk.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has condemned continued Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, which have left hundreds dead - mostly civilians - over the past 48 hours, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has instructed his cabinet to begin direct peace talks with Lebanon.
Every year, 9 April brings Georgia to a standstill. It is a day of grief, pride and reflection, as the nation remembers those who died for freedom while confronting present-day challenges.
Millions of Indians queued to vote in local elections across two states on Thursday, kicking off four key contests this month.
Lithuania’s Prime Minister’s visit to Azerbaijan on 9 April signals a deepening strategic dialogue between Baku and European partners. Analysts say economic interests and geopolitical shifts are driving closer engagement.
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