Peace Talks Between Afghanistan’s Taliban and Pakistan End in Deadlock; Taliban Warns of War

Talks Collapse Despite International Mediation

The third round of peace talks between the government of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and Pakistan, held in Istanbul under the mediation of Qatar and Turkey, ended on Saturday without progress.

Both sides failed to reach an agreement on how to curb cross-border terrorism. A strongly worded statement from the Taliban warned that it is “ready for war” if Pakistan continues to use Afghan territory for militant operations.

The collapse of these negotiations has deepened uncertainty across South Asia, where border tensions already threaten regional peace.

🔹 Dispute Over Terror Commitments

According to reports, Pakistan demanded a written commitment from the Afghan Taliban to act against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — a militant outfit accused of launching several attacks from Afghan soil.

Kabul refused to provide any such written guarantee, calling the demand “unrealistic and disrespectful.” This disagreement created an impasse that led to the suspension of talks indefinitely.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, announced that Islamabad “will not continue a dialogue where the other side refuses responsibility.”
In response, Taliban officials accused Pakistan of being “irresponsible” and attempting to shift blame for its internal security problems onto Afghanistan.

🔹 Rising Regional Tensions

Although both sides claim the ceasefire still stands, regional analysts warn that a breakdown in diplomacy could lead to renewed clashes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Such a scenario could also disrupt key trade routes linking Central and South Asia and increase refugee movements.
Intelligence experts believe that militant groups may exploit this growing distrust to expand their operations on both sides of the border.

🔹 Why This Matters for South Asia

The failure of these peace talks carries implications that go far beyond Kabul and Islamabad.

• A destabilised border between Pakistan and Afghanistan could directly affect India’s security and trade environment.

• The diplomatic roles played by Turkey and Qatar show a shift in mediation power within the Muslim world — away from Western influence.

• The TTP’s growing boldness, combined with the Taliban’s open warning, may reshape how insurgencies operate in South Asia in the coming months.

Regional observers fear that if tensions escalate, it could trigger a larger proxy conflict involving multiple powers.

🔹 What Happens Next?

Experts suggest that without a new mediation strategy or broader stakeholder inclusion — involving the TTP directly, as well as regional powers such as China and Iran — the current deadlock may only deepen.

Pakistan may respond with military operations, border closures, or revised diplomacy to contain the threat. Meanwhile, Afghanistan is expected to continue its aggressive political posture, both domestically and internationally.

The United Nations, European Union, and the United States have not yet issued formal responses. However, any increase in border violence or cross-border terror attacks could force global intervention.

🔹 Conclusion

The collapse of the Istanbul talks is not just a diplomatic setback — it may be a turning point for the entire region.

The Taliban’s declaration that it is “ready for war” underscores how fragile the peace process remains. For countries like India, which have a stake in regional stability, this news serves as a warning of potential future unrest.

Without renewed efforts toward dialogue, South Asia may soon face one of its most dangerous periods in years.