Pakistan and Afghanistan will engage in discussions on Wednesday in Urumqi, China, under a trilateral framework facilitated by Beijing. This meeting marks the first significant interaction since Pakistan's Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, which targeted alleged terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan on February 26. According to a senior Foreign Ministry official, the meeting is not intended as a mediation effort but aims to share perspectives on the recent escalation in tensions. While no major outcomes are expected, China is advocating for confidence-building measures, including the reopening of trade routes. The delegation from Pakistan is led by an Additional Secretary from the Afghan Desk, accompanied by military and intelligence officials, while Afghanistan's delegation includes officials from its interior and foreign ministries. China's involvement underscores its strategic interest in maintaining regional stability, particularly concerning the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and its implications for security in Xinjiang. The meeting also reflects China's growing influence in Afghan affairs and its efforts to curb potential threats to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Additionally, Indian intelligence sources suggest that Pakistan may attempt to deflect internal pressures by redirecting cross-border terrorist elements towards Jammu and Kashmir.