Riyadh-mediated talks
ISLAMABAD: A fresh round of bilateral discussions between Pakistan andAfghanistan has taken place in Saudi Arabia, marking a renewed effort toreduce escalating tensions along their shared border, according todiplomatic sources cited by international media.
The talks, facilitated in Riyadh, involved senior representatives from bothnations and resulted in an agreement to maintain the existing ceasefire andpursue further dialogue. Three Afghan officials and two Pakistaniofficials, including one based in Istanbul, confirmed the development toReuters. The meeting reflects growing concern over recurrent cross-borderincidents that have strained relations in recent months.
A senior official from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) expressedcautious optimism, stating that Kabul remains open to additional meetingsin pursuit of a positive outcome. The official emphasised the importance ofsustained engagement to address longstanding grievances, particularly thoserelated to border management and security cooperation.
On the Pakistani side, the delegation comprised representatives from themilitary establishment, intelligence agencies, and the Ministry of ForeignAffairs, underscoring the high-level nature of Islamabad’s engagement.Pakistani authorities confirmed their commitment to diplomatic resolutionwhile maintaining vigilance along the Durand Line.
The Saudi-hosted talks come after previous attempts to resolve differencesthrough meetings in Qatar and Turkey yielded limited results. Those earlierefforts had focused on similar issues, including border fencing disputes,movement of militants, and allegations of safe havens, but failed toproduce a lasting breakthrough.
Analysts view the involvement of Saudi Arabia as significant, givenRiyadh’s growing diplomatic influence in regional conflicts and itshistorically close ties with both Islamabad and Kabul. The kingdom haspreviously mediated in Afghan-related matters, including intra-Afghan peaceprocesses.
While no official joint statement has been released, sources indicate thatboth sides acknowledged the necessity of de-escalation ahead of the winterseason, when border areas become particularly vulnerable to securitychallenges. The agreement to continue dialogue is seen as a pragmatic steptoward preventing a wider deterioration in bilateral relations.
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The development occurs against the backdrop of increased militant activityin Pakistan’s border regions, which Islamabad attributes partly to elementsoperating from Afghan territory. Kabul has consistently rejected suchclaims, insisting it does not allow its soil to be used against anyneighbour.
Diplomatic circles in Islamabad welcomed the resumption of talks, withofficials describing the Riyadh meeting as a constructiveconfidence-building measure. Further meetings are reportedly underconsideration, though no dates have been confirmed.
Source:https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-afghanistan-hold-talks-saudi-arabia-sources-2025-12-03/
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1875432
Tags: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Islamic Emirate, Durand Line,TTP, Intelligence Agencies
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