Afghan Taliban Labels China-Mediated Urumqi Peace Talks 'Useful' After Seven Days of Negotiations

After seven days of China-mediated negotiations in Urumqi, Afghanistan's Taliban government labeled the talks 'useful' and expressed cautious optimism about resolving the conflict with Pakistan. Afghan officials branded the discussions 'constructive.' The talks brought together mid-level delegations from both Afghanistan and Pakistan under Chinese facilitation, aiming to establish a framework for ending the border conflict that began in late February 2026. Both sides expressed willingness to continue dialogue, though Pakistan's Operation Ghazab-il-Haq military operations continued simultaneously. China's involvement as a mediator was notable given its Belt and Road investment in Pakistan and its strategic interest in regional stability — TTP and ISIS-K attacks on Chinese workers in Pakistan have threatened the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The talks represented the highest-level diplomatic engagement since the conflict's start.