Russia Offers to Mediate Between Pakistan and Afghanistan to Ease Tensions
ISLAMABAD: Russia has offered to help reduce tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, expressing concern over the strained relations between the two neighbouring countries and signalling Moscow’s willingness to play a role in easing their differences.
Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Khorev made the remarks on Monday while addressing a roundtable discussion on Pakistan-Russia relations at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).
Khorev expressed concern over the ongoing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul and said Moscow was ready to contribute towards reducing differences between the two countries.
He noted that the continued closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was also affecting Pakistan’s trade connectivity with Central Asia and Russia.
The Russian ambassador expressed hope that the border would reopen and tensions between Islamabad and Kabul would ease.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions Discussed During Russian Interior Minister’s Visit
Khorev revealed that the situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan featured prominently in discussions during Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev’s visit to Islamabad last week.
His remarks highlight Moscow’s interest in regional stability, particularly as border disruptions continue to affect trade and economic connectivity.
Russia has maintained engagement with Afghanistan under the Taliban administration. It became the first and, according to the report, the only country to formally recognise Afghanistan’s Taliban government last year.
In May this year, Russia and Afghanistan also signed a military-technical cooperation agreement, although the full scope of the agreement has not been made public.
Russia’s approach towards the Taliban has at times differed considerably from Pakistan’s increasingly critical stance towards the Afghan authorities.
Despite these differences, Islamabad has kept the door open to a potential Russian role in easing tensions with Kabul.
Pakistan Values Relations with Russia
During his weekly press briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan valued its relations with Russia, particularly regarding Afghanistan and regional security.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, also addressed Monday’s roundtable discussion, highlighting the breadth of bilateral relations and efforts to overcome practical obstacles to further cooperation.
Russia’s offer comes amid continued tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the reopening of the border and the restoration of stable bilateral relations remaining important issues for regional trade and security.
