Pakistan continued to be caught up in the war of words with India at that conference following the dramatic exchange of missiles and drones almost two weeks ago, so this week it advanced diplomatic efforts with two other neighbors.
At a “unofficial” trilateral conference held in Beijing on May 21, the Chinese Foreign Minister, Pakistan and Afghanistan were convened under the forum first launched in 2017 and last met in May 2023.
This time, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the important outcome of the meeting was a new willingness by both Pakistan and Afghanistan to restore diplomatic relations after tensions have risen in recent years.
“Afghanistan and Pakistan expressed a clear willingness to enhance diplomatic relations and, in principle, agreed to exchange ambassadors as soon as possible.
Pakistan and Afghanistan return to the table after Chinese mediation as India strengthens relations with Kabul
This time, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the important outcome of the meeting was a new willingness by both Pakistan and Afghanistan to restore diplomatic relations after tensions have risen in recent years.
He added that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $62 billion megaproject under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will be expanded to Afghanistan.
A Pakistani diplomat with first-hand knowledge of the lecture told Al Jazeera that it will be held “quickly” and “quickly” within a few weeks, based on momentum from the Beijing Conclave.
“I am reasonably optimistic about the outcome. It was a great confidence and trust building exercise between the three countries,” the official said, discussing the Beijing Conference on condition of anonymity.
Tripartite diplomacy amidst the tensions between India and Pakistan
The meeting took place after a four-day standoff between Pakistan and India, where the two countries launched diplomatic attacks to assert “winning” and assert control.
The conflict between May 7th and May 10th followed an Indian strike called Pakistan’s “terrorist infrastructure” in retaliation for the Pahargam attack in India-controlled Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians last month. India has condemned attacks on Pakistan-based armed groups, Islamabad has denied.
China urged both sides to detain. However, Pakistan used Chinese fighter jets, missiles and air defense systems.