China tries to play peacemaker between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Pakistan and Afghanistan are holding talks in China to try and end the worst conflict between them since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, with Beijing keen to assist both to normalise ties in its own security interests and keep New Delhi's influence in Kabul under check.

China said on Friday that negotiations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are advancing steadily. "The consultation process is being steadily implemented and advanced," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

"The three parties have also reached consensus and arrangements on a specific operational mode, including media coverage," she said.


"Since the recent escalation of the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict, China has been mediating and promoting talks in its own way, maintaining close communication with both sides through multiple channels and at various levels, and creating conditions and providing platforms for dialogue," said Mao.

She also said that both countries "attach importance to and welcome China's mediation efforts, and are willing to sit down again for talks, which is a positive development."

Tense ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan work against China's interests in the region amid the presence of several Chinese workers in Afghanistan and existence of a narrow corridor dividing Afghanistan from China. Beijing has always been apprehensive of extremism being transported to its Xinjiang region through this corridor. China also had concerns about the East Turkestan Islamic Movement known to operate in Afghanistan. BRI project in Afghanistan is yet to make any progress though.

China has been watching growing ties between India and the Taliban with discomfort. In this backdrop, Beijing would encourage Pakistan to renew ties with Afghanistan to keep India under check, as per Afghan watchers.