Amid soaring tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has issued a strong statement, declaring that while Afghanistan desires peace, it will not compromise on the defense of its borders and national interests.
Muttaqi confirmed that the Afghan side has agreed to a temporary ceasefire, which was brokered through the mediation of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. However, he delivered a sharp warning: “If Pakistan does not want peace, Afghanistan has other options available.”
The Afghan Foreign Minister held a press conference at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi today—his second during this visit. The event was notable for addressing a controversy from his previous briefing.
Full Entry for Female Journalists
In a significant move following a dispute over the exclusion of women reporters from his earlier press conference, Amir Khan Muttaqi took steps to ensure full inclusion. Today’s press conference saw female journalists seated in the front rows.
The Taliban-led government’s Foreign Minister used the opportunity to address the controversy directly, clarifying that no female journalist had been deliberately barred from the previous briefing. He fielded questions from journalists on various subjects and provided a detailed explanation regarding the matter of press access.
Border Issue: ‘No One Can Control the Durand Line by Force’
Focusing on the growing friction with Pakistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi stated that while the majority of Pakistan’s population and many politicians desire good relations with Afghanistan, “certain elements are attempting to spoil the atmosphere.”
He underscored the historical difficulty of controlling the border region, referencing the 2,400-kilometer-long, challenging Durand Line. Muttaqi asserted that history proves the futility of military intervention in controlling this boundary: “Neither Genghis Khan, nor the British, nor the Americans were able to control the rugged Durand Line through the use of force.”
Muttaqi’s remarks highlight a precarious diplomatic situation, signaling Afghanistan’s intent to uphold its sovereignty while opening the door for future escalations should mediated peace talks fail.
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