Don’t Test Afghanistan’s Patience, Taliban Warns Pakistan Amid Collapsed Peace Talks

Istanbul: The third round of diplomatic talks between Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and Pakistan, which was held in Istanbul, ended without any agreement. Both sides accused each other of failing the talks. There was an attempt to achieve a ceasefire and calm the border dispute through this forum of the Security Council, but after the talks failed, Afghan foreign spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that if war broke out, they had the right to defend their country. 

Why did this happen?

The tension between the armed forces of the two countries has intensified due to the ongoing firing and air strikes on the border. Pakistan was blamed for the bombings in Kabul in early October, after which Afghanistan retaliated. 

Pakistan had placed a major condition during the talks that the Afghan government should take concrete action against the terrorist organization Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on its soil. The Afghan side said they had limited access and described the demands as disproportionate.

What is the current status?

Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that there are no plans for any next round of talks right now and there is a possibility of "open war" if the talks fail. Afghanistan has said that it will not allow any other country to use its soil against another country. “If there is war, we have the right to defend ourselves.” Such statements have been made. While a platform for talks for an armed conflict was prepared by both sides, no concrete results have emerged so far, and tension continues on the border.

What does it mean?

This failure of talks means that Afghanistan-Pakistan relations have come to a sensitive point. If violence on the border increases, it can become a serious threat to the internal security and regional stability of both countries.

Additionally, it signals a breakdown in trust on counter-terrorism and local security issues, undermining the international disengagement process.

What will we see next?

If there are any new attacks or drone attacks across the border in the next few days, the war situation is likely to deepen. Pressure to act will increase on Pakistan's allegations of Afghan infiltration or providing safe haven to terrorist groups.

The government of Afghanistan will clarify its position in international forums regarding the responsibility (by the Taliban) that it will not allow its borders to be used against another country.