The Taliban foreign ministry said talks with Pakistan in China concluded with “constructive discussions,” offering a cautious sign of diplomatic engagement after weeks of cross-border fighting that has killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands.
In a statement, the ministry said the meetings, hosted in the western Chinese city of Urumqi, focused on bilateral relations, security concerns and regional stability, and reflected a shared interest in easing tensions.
The ministry thanked China for its role as host and mediator and said it hoped the process would help build trust and lead to more effective cooperation between the two sides.
China offered a similar assessment, saying Taliban and Pakistani -representatives had agreed to work toward an early easing of tensions.
Lin Jian, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said delegations from the two sides — including officials from foreign affairs, defense and security institutions — held informal talks from April 1 to 7.
He said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to resolving differences and agreed to avoid actions that could escalate or complicate the situation.
“The Afghan and Pakistani sides reiterated that they follow the purposes and spirit of the UN Charter … and stay committed to resolving differences as soon as possible,” Lin said.
He added that all parties agreed to continue engagement under what China described as the “Urumqi process” and to explore a broader framework for addressing disputes.
The talks took place against the backdrop of escalating clashes that began in late February, involving airstrikes and artillery exchanges along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Pakistan has accused the Taliban of allowing militant groups, including Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, to operate from Afghan territory — a claim the Taliban deny. A United Nations monitoring team has estimated that the group has around 6,000 fighters based in Afghanistan.
The fighting has taken a heavy toll. Taliban have said that hundreds of civilians have been killed in recent strikes, while United Nations agencies have reported large-scale displacement, with tens of thousands forced from their homes in affected provinces.
Despite the talks, reports of shelling and sporadic violence have continued in some areas.
While both sides have signaled a willingness to engage, neither has disclosed concrete agreements beyond general commitments to dialogue and de-escalation.
China said it would continue to facilitate communication between the Taliban and Pakistan and support efforts to stabilize relations.
