Description: Pakistani and Afghan officials continued the Chinese mediated talks in the city of Urumqi, northwestern China, where the latest efforts have evidently brought forward progress in China’s reconciliation efforts. Afghan foreign minister, Amir Khan Mutaqi met Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan in Kabul and officially expressed his gratitude for China’s involvement in ending the hostilities. He also confirmed the progress in the ongoing negotiations and claimed that minor interpretations would not hinder progress in the talks. Pakistan and Afghanistan engaged in one of the largest armed confrontations within the last couple of years in Oct last year, while several ceasefire efforts instigated by Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have failed so far. The UN stated that more than 100 thousand people were displaced in the most recent cross border attacks. Pakistan blames Afghanistan for harboring militants which perpetrate attacks on its territory while Afghanistan denies the accusations and hold the official position that militancy is Pakistan’s internal issue.
Impact: China’s shadow shuttle diplomacy outside of having part in bringing about the US – Iran ceasefire through Pakistan, aims at fortifying its position in Asia through facilitating a mutual peace plan between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan’s pursuit for legitimate regional and global partners supports China’s position, which has proven vital so far in the cessation of hostilities with Pakistan. Pakistan on the other hand served as a delivery vehicle for China’s soft power influence on a global scale having enabled a temporary ceasefire between Iran and the US. Islamabad is unlikely to risk its elevation on the global stage by hindering peace efforts with Afghanistan and continuing to stoke regional tensions through military operations. The official narrative from Field Marshal Asim Munir is that Pakistan would continue its operations to neutralize the militants, however, in practice China’s involvement changes the landscape and tips the scales towards at least a temporary ceasefire. Both neighbors are in a favorable position to work towards reaching a permanent ceasefire under China’s mediation, which aims at protecting China’s economic interests in Pakistan and also aims to extend its influence in Afghanistan.