Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed in principle to elevate their diplomatic relations by appointing ambassadors to each other’s capitals, China announced following an informal meeting in Beijing.
The agreement comes after months of strained relations marked by border tensions and military incidents. The announcement was made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi after hosting talks with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
"Both sides clearly expressed their willingness to upgrade diplomatic ties," Wang said in a statement released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "China welcomes this and is willing to continue providing assistance for the improvement of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations."
Pakistan and Afghanistan currently maintain embassies in each other's capitals, but their missions are headed by charge d'affaires instead of ambassadors. The move to exchange full ambassadors signals a thaw in relations that have been strained by violence and accusations of cross-border militancy.
The meeting follows a December incident in which the Afghan Taliban accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes in Paktika province that reportedly killed 46 civilians. Pakistan has not confirmed the strikes but maintains it conducts operations against militants it accuses of operating from Afghan territory—a claim Kabul denies.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office welcomed the “positive momentum” in bilateral ties, citing increased diplomatic engagement, trade cooperation, and transit facilitation. Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of stronger political and economic ties with both Pakistan and China.
The meeting also laid the groundwork for a trilateral foreign ministers’ dialogue to be held in Kabul “as soon as possible,” signaling a commitment to sustained regional diplomacy.
China, which was the first country to accept an ambassador from the Taliban-led administration in Kabul, has taken a leading role in encouraging stability and reconstruction in Afghanistan, though it has not formally recognized the Taliban government.
During the talks, China and Pakistan expressed support for Afghanistan’s development and agreed to expand trade exchanges and security cooperation. They also reaffirmed commitments to combat terrorism and maintain regional peace and stability.
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