Trump’s Mediation Sparks New Ceasefire Effort Between Thailand and Cambodia; Eyes on Afghanistan-Pakistan Talks

October 27, 2025

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has once again stepped into international diplomacy, featuring in a new ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, while simultaneously reiterating his intent to mediate peace between Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to reports from Istanbul.

Doha Talks Remain Inconclusive, Mediators Seek Middle Path

Follow-up discussions on the Doha agreement of October 18–19 remain inconclusive, as delegations from Kabul and Islamabad reportedly disagreed over each other’s draft proposals.

Mediators Turkey and Qatar are said to be exploring a “four-party channel” to monitor ceasefire implementation, assess violations, and facilitate communication between the two sides.

Afghanistan’s Tolo News reported that Kabul’s negotiators submitted a draft proposal to Islamabad’s delegation through mediators, while Pakistan presented its own counter-draft.

The Afghan team reportedly demanded that Pakistan refrain from violating its airspace or borders and stop allowing opposition groups to operate from its soil.

Pakistan Warns of “Open War” if Talks Fail

Pakistan’s Dawn quoted security officials saying that Islamabad had presented its “final position” to Kabul, echoing Defence Minister Khwaja Asif’s earlier warning that failure to reach an agreement could lead to “open war.”

Asif, who led the Pakistani delegation in the earlier Doha talks, reiterated that the ceasefire would hold only if the Taliban halted cross-border terrorist attacks.

The Afghan delegation in Istanbul reportedly includes political and security figures, while Pakistan’s team comprises senior defence and intelligence officials.

A Pakistani official was quoted as saying the Taliban regime must take verifiable steps to curb cross-border terrorism “from and inside Afghanistan.”

Taliban Claims Retaliatory Action, Denies Supporting Terror

The Taliban regime has repeatedly denied supporting any terror groups operating from its soil. It claimed that the October 18 attack on Pakistani border posts was a retaliation for aerial strikes allegedly carried out by Islamabad inside Afghan territory, including in Kabul.

Despite mediation efforts, both sides have refused to compromise, each holding firm to its demands in what analysts view as a struggle for leverage and legitimacy.

Trump’s Role: Symbolism and Leverage

Diplomatic observers note that Trump’s involvement in these talks could pressure both nations toward a working truce, even if conditional.

For Pakistan, US engagement could offer financial and political relief, especially amid domestic unrest and economic instability, potentially unlocking support from international financial institutions.

For the Taliban, American involvement represents a potential path toward international recognition — something the regime has long sought.

Currently, while around 40 countries maintain limited engagement with Kabul, Russia remains the only nation to have officially recognized the Taliban government.