Britain Welcomes Taliban-Pakistan Talks in China, Urges Continuation

Richard Landy, Britain's special representative for Afghanistan, welcomed recent negotiations between Taliban and Pakistani delegations in Urumqi, China, and emphasized that continued dialogue is the only path to reduce tensions and achieve lasting peace.

The week-long talks, hosted by China from April 1 to 7, ended without concrete results, according to Mohammad Naim Wardak, Taliban deputy minister for refugees and repatriation. Wardak stated on X that Pakistan's stance was unreasonable, particularly its attempt to transfer internal security issues to Afghanistan.

China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described the discussions as taking place in a constructive atmosphere, with both sides committing to de-escalate tensions and refrain from actions that could lead to further escalation.

Landy expressed his support for the talks in a post on X, urging all parties to pursue comprehensive solutions through ongoing negotiations. The British statement highlights international encouragement for dialogue amid strained relations between the Taliban and Pakistan, which have seen accusations of cross-border incursions and security concerns.