China Brokers Afghanistan-Pakistan Restraint Agreement After Week of Urumqi Talks

After a week of informal meetings in Urumqi, Xinjiang (April 1-7), China announced that Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to avoid escalation and explore a comprehensive solution to their bilateral conflict. The two countries committed to resolving differences "as soon as possible" and agreed not to take actions that could further complicate the situation. The talks came after weeks of cross-border fighting that killed hundreds. China's mediation role expands its influence in a region where US diplomatic engagement has declined.