Khalilzad Urges Afghanistan and Pakistan to De-escalate Border Tensions

DID Press: Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, has called for de-escalation between Afghanistan and Pakistan and urged the two countries to reach an agreement.

In a post, Khalilzad stressed that the two sides should avoid further escalation and the widening of the conflict through an increased role for India and Russia in supporting Afghanistan.

“Rather than escalating tensions and expanding the war by increasing the role of India and Russia in supporting Afghanistan, the better option is to de-escalate and reach an agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he said.

Khalilzad also called on both countries to commit to preventing their territories from being used by individuals and groups, including Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh.

“The ball is in Pakistan’s court,” he concluded.

Khalilzad’s remarks point to the possibility of India and Russia becoming more involved in the tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.