Kabul (August 22): Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation against regional terrorist organisations, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), during the sixth trilateral meeting of their foreign ministers in Kabul, Afghan media outlet Tolo News reported.
Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, said the three countries reached an understanding to step up efforts against groups such as TTP, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), and other regional and international outfits.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar underlined the broader regional vision during a joint press briefing in Islamabad with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, who also attended the Kabul talks. Dar said the mechanisms reflect “a shared determination to promote regional peace, stability, prosperity, and to extend the benefits among Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, and beyond.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the economic dimension, particularly the role of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He described Pakistan and China as “pioneers” in implementing the Global Development Initiative and noted that CPEC has begun to benefit Afghanistan as well.
While no joint statement was issued, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said the talks focused on strengthening cooperation in politics, trade, and transit. The meeting was hosted at the Presidential Palace in Kabul.
Experts voiced mixed reactions to the trilateral. Military affairs analyst Kamran Aman accused Pakistan of “playing a dual game” through China to secure influence in Afghanistan, citing declining Afghan trade with Pakistan, which has dropped 28 percent compared to last year. Political analyst Mohammad Aslam Danishmal said the framework created opportunities for engagement but carried risks, noting “both positive and negative aspects” of such trilateral diplomacy.
The trilateral forum, established in 2017, has served as one of the few high-level platforms bringing Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China together on counterterrorism and economic cooperation despite lingering political tensions in the region.