Kabul (TDI): A trilateral meeting amongst Pakistan, China and Afghanistan over the weekend agreed on regional realignment and extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project to Afghanistan.
It was also agreed on the strategic front that Indian influence in Afghanistan would be limited to diplomatic missions, if the alignment worked in a proper manner, The Express Tribune reported citing sources.
The decisions confirmed after a closed-door meeting among Pakistan’s Special Representative Mohammad Sadiq, Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and China’s special envoy Yue Xiaoyong, signal a bold step toward regional realignment.
After multiple meetings, it was decided that the Afghan Taliban will host the 6th round of trilateral foreign ministers’ meetings with Pakistan and China in Kabul.
Read More: Pakistan Appreciates China’s Support Amid Regional Tensions: PM
These will be the first high-level talks to take place under the Taliban’s leadership.
Pakistan and China also greenlighted support for enhanced political and economic collaboration with Afghanistan.
It was agreed that Beijing would support Afghanistan politically and economically which will also be connected with regional nations through road links.
As part of the ongoing trilateral meetings, Pakistan’s special envoy joined the Chinese special representative in talks with Afghan Commerce Minister Azizi.
Read More:Â China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan Foster Regional Cooperation
The special envoy described the meetings as constructive and helpful in boosting trade and economic collaboration. The three countries agreed to build on the understandings from the May 2023 Foreign Ministers-level trilateral in Islamabad, particularly on extending CPEC to Afghanistan.
The trip of Pakistan’s special envoy was aimed at gaining support from neighboring nations on Pakistan-India conflict, regional connection on Chinese initiatives, and on eliminating terrorist outfits IS-KP from Afghan soil.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
