Pak, Afghan Agree To Continue Ceasefire As India Calls Out Islamabad’s Frustration Over Kabul’s Sovereignty
Tensions between both the countries flared up earlier this month after Pakistan launched airstrikes in Kabul. Image courtesy: AI-generated picture via Sora
After weeks of deadly exchanges along the Durand Line, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on Thursday to uphold a ceasefire during peace talks in Istanbul, according to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry. The negotiations, held from October 25–30 with mediation from Istanbul and Qatar, aimed to reinforce a temporary truce first brokered in Doha earlier this month.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement, confirmed, “Afghanistan, Pakistan, Türkiye and Qatar held meetings in Istanbul from 25-30 October 2025 aimed at solidifying the ceasefire which was agreed by Afghanistan and Pakistan in Doha on 18-19 October 2025 with the mediation of Türkiye and Qatar. All parties have agreed on continuation of ceasefire.”
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that both sides would continue discussions, stressing Kabul’s desire for “good relations with Pakistan based on mutual respect and non-interference.”
Pakistan-Afghanistan border clashes and ceasefire talks in Istanbul
A follow-up meeting would be held in Istanbul on November 6, 2025 to decide how the mechanism will be implemented, and that Turkey and Qatar “stand ready to continue cooperation with both sides for lasting peace and stability.”
Tensions between both the countries flared up earlier this month after Pakistan launched airstrikes in Kabul, which coincided with Taliban’s foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s India visit. The move seemed reflected Pakistan’s insecurity over the prospect of improving India-Afghan ties.
In retaliation, Afghanistan too conducted strikes on Pakistan, with the officials claiming that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed, but Pakistan’s military said 23 of its soldiers died and insisted its operations targeted militant hideouts inside Afghanistan. The clashes prompted Qatar to host emergency talks, which resulted in a temporary ceasefire on October 19, 2025.
India slams Pakistan over tensions with Kabul
India on Thursday (October 30, 2025) reaffirmed its readiness to assist Afghanistan in sustainable water management and hydroelectric projects, even as Islamabad grows increasingly anxious over Kabul’s plans to construct multiple dams on the Kunar River.
“As you know, there is a history of cooperation, including the Salma Dam in Herat province,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly briefing, recalling one of India’s most significant development projects in Afghanistan.
Although Kabul has not yet sought India’s technical support for the Kunar River project, sources said New Delhi is closely monitoring developments and remains open to contributing its expertise when requested.
Taliban pushes ‘water sovereignty’ amid Pakistan’s unease
Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership recently announced its decision to accelerate dam construction on the Kunar River, a key tributary of the Kabul River, which flows into Pakistan. Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada has ordered the Ministry of Water and Energy to award contracts to local firms and begin work “as fast as possible.”
Deputy Minister Muhajer Farahi emphasised that the project symbolises Afghanistan’s right to manage its own natural resources, what the Taliban calls “water sovereignty.”
Pakistan, however, fears that the new dams could drastically reduce water flow into its territory, undermining both irrigation and energy security. The dispute comes amid heightened border tensions, with both sides accusing each other of cross-border strikes and militant support.
India calls out Pakistan’s “frustration” over Afghan sovereignty
Responding to questions on regional tensions, MEA spokesperson Jaiswal said, “Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories. Its neighbours find it unacceptable. India remains fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan.”
The comment comes as New Delhi sharpens its tone on regional issues, having earlier suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.
