ISLAMABAD — U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to resolve the ongoing Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis “very quickly”, as peace talks entered their second day in Istanbul.
The remarks came amid a tense border standoff that has strained relations between the two neighboring countries and raised regional security concerns.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, Trump said,
“I heard that Pakistan and Afghanistan have started up… but I’ll get that solved very quickly.”
He also praised Pakistan’s leadership, calling them “great people,” while attending the signing ceremony for the Thailand–Cambodia peace agreement.
Tensions Erupt After Deadly Clashes
The crisis stems from violent border clashes earlier this month, marking some of the deadliest fighting in years between Afghan and Pakistani forces.
Both sides accuse each other of cross-border aggression, with Pakistan blaming Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government for harboring militants behind attacks inside Pakistani territory — allegations the Taliban deny.
Dozens were killed and hundreds injured during the confrontations near the Spin Boldak-Chaman border, a key trade crossing between the two nations.
Peace Talks Aim for Lasting Ceasefire
The second round of negotiations, hosted in Istanbul, focuses on transforming a fragile ceasefire reached earlier in Doha into a durable peace and border security framework.
According to Taliban-controlled media RTA, the Afghan delegation submitted a draft demanding that Pakistan respect Afghanistan’s territory and airspace and prevent “any anti-Afghan group” from operating within its borders.
In response, Pakistan presented a counterproposal on Saturday evening, though officials have not yet commented publicly on its details.
Regional Stakes Remain High
Analysts say the crisis threatens to destabilize an already volatile region, where militant groups like al-Qaida are reportedly seeking to regroup.
Trump’s intervention, if followed through, could signal a renewed U.S. diplomatic push in South Asia, with both Pakistan and Afghanistan eager for international mediation.
Pakistan previously praised Trump’s role in easing tensions with India, and officials in Islamabad are expected to welcome his latest comments as a show of support.
