The Foreign Minister of China has called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to avoid escalating tensions and resolve their differences through diplomatic channels.
He made the call during a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s foreign minister, urging both sides to stop the clashes immediately and stressing the importance of resuming negotiations between Kabul and Islamabad.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China:
“The most important responsibility is to prevent the escalation of clashes and ensure that both sides return to the negotiating table as soon as possible. China’s special envoy for Afghanistan will travel between the two countries to advance peace talks.”
Observers believe that if China truly intends to, it could play a significant role in strengthening regional stability and helping end the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan. They suggest that China should also take such steps to protect its economic interests.
Political analyst Idris Mohammadi Zazi said:
“China should clearly assess the political situation in the region and determine who is leading this crisis and what the solutions are. It should also put pressure on Pakistan and obtain guarantees so that interference by other countries can be reduced.”
Another political analyst, Rohullah Hotak, said:
“In Pakistan, the influence of the United States still creates limitations, while China’s influence in Afghanistan is more direct. There is competition here, and China has a good chance to help resolve it, although full success cannot be guaranteed because the Durand Line, the presence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, and the Baloch resistance pose risks to China’s projects. In my view, China cannot fully confront Western powers, and its role in resolving such conflicts has not been very effective.”
Previously, United Kingdom, Iran, Russia, the European Union, and several Arab countries also called for an immediate ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the resolution of disputes through diplomatic channels.
These calls come at a time when a delegation of Pakistani religious scholars is in Kabul and is believed to be holding talks with officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan about stopping the conflict.
