Lavrov highlights need to resolve Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions through diplomacy

ISTANBUL

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted the need to resolve ongoing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul through diplomatic means during a phone call with his acting Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi on Friday.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Lavrov and Muttaqi exchanged views on the regional situation, including the “negative and destabilizing consequences of the aggression against Iran.”

“They discussed prospects for reducing military and political tensions in Afghan-Pakistani relations,” the statement said.

It added that Lavrov emphasized the “need to resolve differences between Kabul and Islamabad through political and diplomatic means.”

Afghanistan and Pakistan have seen ties deteriorate in recent weeks, with border tensions again escalating last week, and the resulting fire leading to casualties and damage.

Pakistan says Afghanistan provides safe haven to terrorists that attack the country, and has continued its operation dubbed “Ghazb lil Haq” across the border since late February. Kabul denies the charge and has called for resolving the differences through negotiations.

Separately, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed Russia's concern and called on both countries to “abandon this dangerous confrontation and return to the negotiating table to settle all disagreements through political and diplomatic means.”