——– Representatives of the three countries met under a trilateral mechanism launched in 2017
——– Discussed the forthcoming Foreign Ministers’ conference expected to take place in Kabul
——– Three sides aim to work for regional peace, security and prosperity
PESHAWAR: Pakistan, China and Afghanistan committed to stronger economic ties in a trilateral meet-ing hosted by the Afghan interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul, media reported on Sunday.
Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq said the trilateral conference on Saturday concentrated on the region’s economic and security prospects. Participants of the meeting committed to strengthening cooperation across a number of other areas as well, Sadiq added.
The gathering was held to mark the fresh round of negotiations under the trilateral dialogue frame-work between China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, which was established in 2017 with the goals of fos-tering economic integration, counterterrorism coordination, and political confidence.
Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Muttaqi hosted the talks, while Special Envoy to Af-ghanistan Yue Xiaoyong represented China at the meeting.
“The first meeting of the Pakistan-China-Afghanistan trilateral in Kabul today… provided the occasion for convergence of views on economic and security cooperation as well as regional stability,” special envoy Sadiq said in a post on social media platform X.
All three sides reviewed progress on commitments made during the last dialogue and agreed to con-vene the sixth round of foreign ministers’ meeting in Kabul at a future date, according to a report pub-lished by Afghanistan’s media.
Earlier, Pakistan and Afghanistan have committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation across several key areas, including security, trade, transit, and regional connectivity. This renewed effort comes on the heels of high-level talks held in Kabul, where Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minis-ter Ishaq Dar met with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. The two leaders em-phasized the importance of collaboration in addressing mutual concerns and enhancing diplomatic re-lations.
Upon his arrival in Kabul, Dar was greeted by senior Afghan officials, marking a significant moment in the growing diplomatic engagement between the two neighboring countries. The one-day visit, part of a broader series of diplomatic exchanges, is seen as a decisive step toward resolving longstanding tensions and opening the door to greater cooperation. The focus of the discussions was multifaceted, with the delegation addressing critical issues such as regional trade, border management, and improving people-to-people ties. In a region historically marred by political instability and security concerns, both sides acknowledged that resolving border-related issues and security challenges would be paramount to unlocking the full potential of regional connectivity.
Dar underscored the importance of addressing longstanding security concerns, particularly in relation to cross-border militancy and the threat posed by groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has operated in Afghanistan. Both sides expressed the need for continued dialogue to resolve these security issues and strengthen efforts to combat extremism.
“Security and stability are essential for the economic future of the region,” Dar stated. “By resolving our differences and finding common ground, we can harness the full potential of our shared border, open new trade routes, and pave the way for economic cooperation that benefits both our nations.”
The role of trade and transit in improving bilateral relations was also at the forefront of the talks. Both parties acknowledged the untapped economic potential of improved connectivity, with Afghanistan’s location as a key transit route for trade between Pakistan and Central Asia seen as a crucial strategic asset. –Agencies
