Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held talks in Kabul with Yu Xiaoyong, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing growing regional tensions, particularly recent attacks attributed to Pakistan.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, brought together senior officials to discuss ways to expand cooperation between Afghanistan and China, alongside broader regional developments affecting stability in the region.

During the discussions, Minister Muttaqi underlined Kabul’s commitment to maintaining constructive relations with neighboring countries and major regional partners. He stressed that Afghanistan seeks peaceful solutions to ongoing challenges but will also defend its sovereignty against any aggression.

Muttaqi also raised concerns regarding recent military actions attributed to Pakistan along the Afghan border, emphasizing that such incidents threaten regional stability and undermine efforts to foster cooperation between neighboring states.

According to officials familiar with the meeting, the Afghan side reiterated that dialogue and mutual respect between countries are essential to prevent further escalation and to ensure security along shared borders.

China’s Special Representative Yu Xiaoyong reaffirmed Beijing’s interest in maintaining stability in Afghanistan and the broader region. He highlighted China’s support for resolving disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan through diplomatic channels and dialogue.

Yu stressed that peaceful engagement between the two neighbors is crucial for regional development, trade, and security cooperation. China has repeatedly emphasized the importance of stability in Afghanistan as part of broader regional connectivity initiatives and economic cooperation frameworks.

The meeting comes at a time of heightened regional attention on Afghanistan’s security situation and relations with neighboring states. China has maintained active diplomatic engagement with the Afghan authorities in Kabul, positioning itself as a key regional partner in political dialogue and economic cooperation.

Both sides agreed to continue consultations and diplomatic engagement to strengthen Afghanistan-China relations while supporting efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the region.

Officials from both delegations described the talks as constructive and expressed hope that continued dialogue would contribute to greater regional stability and cooperation. (ILKHA)