- Moscow offers mediation as border strain deepens, warning prolonged friction threatens regional security
- Urges Islamabad, Kabul to show restraint and resume talks, calling both states ‘important partners’ in wider region
- Russian move follows Iran’s Nov 9 bid to mediate between the neighbours
MOSCOW/ISLAMABAD: Russia has stepped into the diplomatic fray by offering to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan to help defuse escalating tensions along their shared border, becoming the second regional power—after Iran—to propose such a role.
The move signals growing regional concern that prolonged friction between the two neighbours could destabilize wider Central and South Asia.
According to a TV channel report, the Russian foreign ministry’s spokesperson described “Pakistan and Afghanistan as important partners” for Moscow and cautioned that “persistent border tensions posed a threat to regional security.”
She said stability in the region remained a priority for Russia and the international community, adding that diplomatic engagement was essential to securing lasting peace.
Calling dialogue the only sustainable path to resolving disputes, the spokesperson urged both Islamabad and Kabul to exercise restraint and settle their differences through talks. She appealed to both sides to avoid steps that could heighten tensions and to keep communication channels open.
The development follows Iran’s offer on 9 November 2025 to mediate between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, aimed at reducing tensions and encouraging dialogue. Diplomatic sources confirmed that Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi had telephoned Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to convey Tehran’s concerns over the deteriorating situation.
During the call, Araqchi urged both sides to persist with negotiations, stressing that all disagreements must be resolved peacefully. Dar briefed him on Pakistan’s recent engagements with Afghan officials and the current circumstances along the border.
Ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have experienced renewed strain in recent weeks, marked by cross-border clashes, militant attacks originating from Afghan soil, and strong statements from both capitals.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban to act against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Kabul accuses Islamabad of heavy-handed measures along the frontier. Regional actors fear that if left unchecked, the tensions could spill over into a broader security challenge—prompting both Iran and now Russia to step forward with offers of mediation.
