Afghanistan, Pakistan Elevate Diplomatic Missions to Ambassadorial Level

Pakistan and Afghanistan have mutually decided to upgrade their diplomatic missions from chargé d’affaires to full ambassadorial status, marking a significant thaw in bilateral relations. This decision follows diplomatic engagements facilitated by China, including a trilateral meeting hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who encouraged improving Afghanistan-Pakistan ties. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar highlighted the move as a step to enhance cooperation in economic, security, counterterrorism, and trade areas, reflecting a positive trajectory after his visit to Kabul. Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is expected to visit Pakistan soon, underscoring the momentum in diplomatic exchanges. While Pakistan’s move brings it closer to recognizing the Taliban government, it follows a broader regional pattern with countries like China, Russia, and the UAE already accrediting Taliban ambassadors. The upgrade signifies a cautious but important step towards stabilizing relations amid ongoing security concerns, including issues of cross-border militancy.