China’s top diplomat urges talks to end Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions, warns against use of force

ISTANBUL

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged talks and negotiations Friday to end tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and cautioned against the use of force, according to Xinhua News.

In a call with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi at Kabul's request, Wang said issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan “can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation.”

“Force would only complicate the situation and intensify the contradictions, which would be of no benefit to either side and threatens regional peace and stability,” he said.

The call came after Wang spoke to his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, on Tuesday and urged all sides to “return to the negotiating table as soon as possible.”

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated in recent weeks, with border tensions escalating last month, resulting in casualties and property damage.

Pakistan, which maintains that it only targets terrorists, accuses Afghanistan of providing a haven to militants who attack its territory, while Kabul denies the charge.

According to Pakistani Information Minister Tarar, Islamabad has killed 663 Afghan Taliban operatives and militants, while Kabul claims 55 Pakistani soldiers have been killed, figures that could not be independently verified.