Foreign ministers from Afghanistan, China and Pakistan met in Kabul on Wednesday for the first formal trilateral dialogue in two years, aimed at strengthening political, economic and regional cooperation.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, currently on a South Asia tour, and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar joined Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for discussions on counter-terrorism, trade, connectivity, and extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan.
Security and Counter-Terrorism on Agenda
The Afghan foreign ministry said participants reviewed earlier commitments and exchanged views on future cooperation. Security concerns, particularly the presence of banned militant groups inside Afghanistan, dominated the talks, with Pakistan and China pressing Kabul to act against terrorist outfits operating from its soil.
China’s First High-Level Visit Since Taliban Takeover
This was Wang Yi’s first visit to Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power four years ago. He also held bilateral meetings with senior Taliban leaders on political and economic cooperation. For Ishaq Dar, it was his third visit to Kabul since April.
Beijing’s Mediation Role
The last trilateral meeting, held informally in Beijing in May, saw Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to restore diplomatic representation at the ambassadorial level, following mediation by China.
Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad
After the Kabul talks, Wang Yi will travel to Islamabad to co-chair the 6th Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Ishaq Dar on August 21.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the meeting will deepen the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” reaffirm mutual support on core interests, and expand cooperation in trade, security, agriculture, mining, and industry.
Shehbaz Sharif’s Upcoming Visit to China
The visit also sets the stage for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s trip to China later this month. He is scheduled to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Beijing and hold bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping.
Related stories:
