Following the collapse of crucial peace talks in Istanbul, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has pointed fingers at India, alleging a ‘proxy war’ being waged through Afghanistan. The four-day negotiations, aimed at de-escalating the volatile situation along the shared border, ended without resolution, continuing a pattern of violence that has claimed numerous lives, including security personnel and civilians.
Asif directly accused New Delhi of infiltrating the Afghan government in Kabul and using the Taliban as a tool for its geopolitical ambitions. “There should not be any doubt on this,” he stated, asserting that India is actively pursuing a proxy conflict via Afghan territory. The breakdown in talks was attributed to the Afghan delegation’s alleged repeated changes in their negotiating stance, which stalled progress towards any potential agreement.
The Istanbul talks were intended to build on a temporary ceasefire agreement reached in Doha on October 19th, following a surge in border skirmishes. The failure to secure a lasting peace has prompted a strong reaction from Pakistan, with Asif issuing a stern warning of severe retaliation. He declared that any aggression against Pakistan would be met with a disproportionately forceful response, potentially “50 times over.”
Pakistan has repeatedly voiced concerns over the Taliban’s alleged failure to curb militant activities and the alleged sheltering of individuals responsible for cross-border attacks. Kabul, however, has consistently denied these accusations, asserting that Afghan soil is not utilized for launching assaults against neighboring countries. The diplomatic process, supported by key regional players like Qatar and Turkey, now faces a significant hurdle, with reports indicating a deadlock and mutual recriminations between the negotiating parties.