Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq and Pakistan’s ambassador to Kabul would represent Islamabad at the October 5 meeting.

The consultations will bring together special representatives and senior officials from Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Belarus and Egypt have been invited as guest participants, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is expected to lead Kabul’s delegation, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet participants and hold separate talks with the Afghan minister on bilateral cooperation.

The meeting comes at a sensitive time for the region, particularly amid tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border militancy and Islamabad’s allegations that armed groups use Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan.

Russian presidential representative Zamir Kabulov has said the two neighbours’ differences will be discussed at the meeting, adding that Moscow is prepared to use the consultation process to encourage a compromise.

Established in 2017, the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan is a regional diplomatic platform designed to promote peace, stability, national reconciliation and cooperation on Afghanistan among neighbouring and influential countries.

Its importance has grown since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, as regional governments have sought ways to address security concerns, maintain diplomatic engagement with Kabul and expand trade despite differences over governance, terrorism and international recognition.

At the seventh meeting, held in Moscow on October 7, 2025, Afghanistan participated as a member for the first time, with its delegation led by Muttaqi. Participants called for a peaceful, independent and united Afghanistan and emphasised stronger regional economic and trade ties.

The eighth meeting is expected to focus on three principal areas:

• Counterterrorism and narcotics: Strengthening cooperation against militant groups and drug trafficking, issues that affect Afghanistan and its neighbours.

• Political and economic engagement: Expanding regional cooperation, trade, investment and economic links with Afghanistan.

• Regional security: Discussing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan and exploring diplomatic options to prevent further escalation.

   

   

  - Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions in focus

For Pakistan, the consultations offer an opportunity to raise its security concerns directly with Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities and regional governments, including China, Iran and Russia.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), of operating from Afghan territory and carrying out attacks inside Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban authorities have rejected allegations that they allow Afghan territory to be used against other countries.

The dispute has strained relations between the neighbours, affecting border crossings, trade and the movement of people. Regional diplomatic engagement could help reduce tensions, although progress will depend on whether the two sides can agree on practical steps to address their security concerns.

Russia’s offer to facilitate dialogue gives the meeting added significance, as Moscow maintains relations with both countries and has sought a greater regional role in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover.

The participation of China, India and Iran gives the consultations broader strategic importance beyond Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.

China has economic and security interests in Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan, while Iran shares a border with Afghanistan and has concerns involving refugees, narcotics, water and regional stability. India, meanwhile, has maintained diplomatic engagement with Kabul and has interests in Afghanistan’s political future and regional connectivity.

The Central Asian states - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - have direct interests in preventing militancy and drug trafficking from spreading across their borders, while also seeking opportunities to develop trade and transport links through Afghanistan.

Belarus and Egypt will participate as guests, broadening the meeting’s diplomatic reach.

A joint statement is expected at the conclusion of the consultations, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.