Pakistan Blamed India For Failed Taliban Talks, But Secret US Drone Deal Was Real Culprit | World News

The highly anticipated Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks in Istanbul collapsed this week after four days of intense negotiations, but not for the reasons Islamabad would like the world to believe. While Pakistan’s defense minister was quick to blame India’s intervention, Afghan media reports reveal that the real reason behind the stalemate was a secret agreement allowing US drone operations from Pakistani territory.

According to TOLO News, this collapse occurred when Afghan negotiators demanded something simple: a written commitment for Pakistan to stop violating Afghan airspace and prevent foreign drone flights over Afghan territory. In return, Kabul promised anti-Pakistan militant groups, including the notorious Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), not to operate across the border.

However, the talks hit an unexpected wall when the Pakistani delegation made a striking confession. This was the first time Islamabad acknowledged that a “foreign country” was conducting drone operations from its territory, which was later confirmed by TOLO News to be the United States. According to the Afghan source, “Pakistan admitted for the first time during these negotiations that it had an agreement with the United States that allowed drone strikes and claimed that it could not break this agreement.”

Mysterious Phone Call Changed Pakistan’s Stance

What makes this statement even more interesting is the timing and manner of Pakistan’s change in position. Afghan negotiators told local media that the Pakistani delegation was initially willing to consider Kabul’s terms and appeared open to finding common ground. But everything changed after a mysterious phone call that sources believe came from Pakistan’s high command. Following this call, the Pakistani team completely reversed course, saying they had “no control” over US drone operations and could not commit to stopping them under any circumstances.

The sudden reversal reportedly surprised Qatari and Turkish mediators, who tried but failed to salvage talks that appeared close to progress. This admission showed that Pakistan cannot fully control its own airspace regarding US military operations; This situation is widely seen as an embarrassment for the country.

Islamabad Shifts Blame to India

Instead of confronting the problem, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif put the blame on India. Speaking on Geo News, Trump claimed that “those pulling the strings in Kabul are controlled by Delhi.” This comment served as a distraction; ignored the real issue, namely the phone call that changed Pakistan’s stance and its acceptance of the drone deal with the US.

Afghan journalist Tameem Bahiss did not mince words on social media, writing that Pakistan “acknowledged that it had signed an agreement with a ‘foreign country’ allowing drones to operate in its airspace for surveillance and possible attacks in Afghanistan.” This statement fundamentally undermined Pakistan’s negotiating position; it became clear that Islamabad could not meet the most basic demand: that foreign military aircraft be kept out of the skies of Afghanistan.

Ceasefire Under Tension as Tension Rises

The failed talks come at a time of rising tensions, with a fragile ceasefire maintained along the Durand Line following deadly clashes in September and October that left more than 200 people dead on both sides. The Taliban government has repeatedly accused Pakistan of carrying out aerial and drone strikes that killed Afghan civilians, including women and children; These accusations now take on even more weight given Pakistan’s admission that it authorized US drone operations.

Afghanistan’s defense minister, Mullah Muhammad Yaqub Mujahid, issued a stern warning to Islamabad, making it clear that “any new violation of Afghan airspace” would be met with a “mutual response”. Given Pakistan’s inability or unwillingness to prevent US drones from flying over its territory, the risk of further escalation remains dangerously high.