ISLAMABAD: Diplomatic initiatives to resolve growing tensions betweenAfghanistan and Pakistan have gained momentum, with Turkey and Iranemerging as key mediators amid persistent uncertainty in bilateralrelations.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hidan Fidan, originally scheduled to lead ahigh-level delegation to Islamabad, diverted to Tehran on Sunday for urgentconsultations with his Iranian counterpart on the deterioratingKabul-Islamabad ties.
During a joint press conference in Tehran, Fidan confirmed that discussionscovered the escalating friction between Afghanistan and Pakistan, alongsideother regional concerns including Israeli policies and nuclearnegotiations.Turkey has previously hosted the second and third rounds oftrilateral talks between the two neighbours, both of which concludedwithout tangible progress, prompting Iran to offer its mediation services.
Iranian Foreign Minister announced that a six-nation regional summitinvolving Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, Russia, and Iran will beconvened in December to address the bilateral impasse.Political analystFazl Menallah Mumtaz observed that both Ankara and Tehran fear thatunchecked escalation could transform the dispute into a broader regionalconflict attracting external powers.
Analyst Moeen Gul Samakni emphasised the critical role of Turkey, Iran, andSaudi Arabia, noting their competing strategic interests in Afghanistannecessitate coordinated regional action.The renewed diplomatic push followsmutual accusations of intransigence after the collapse of Istanbul talks,with both sides claiming the other failed to present reasonable demands.
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Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had announced plans todispatch a delegation comprising the foreign minister, defence minister,and intelligence chief to Pakistan to salvage the dialogue process.
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