In a notable diplomatic shift, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have reached an agreement to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan. This decision emerged from informal trilateral discussions held in Beijing, highlighting a potential enhancement of cooperation within the framework of China’s expansive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), even amid enduring regional tensions.
The meeting featured key representatives from the three nations: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Central to their discussions was a focus on strengthening diplomatic ties and economic collaboration, with emphasis on trade, infrastructure, and development initiatives across the region.
The trio reaffirmed their commitment to fostering peace and stability through development-oriented projects. In a post-meeting statement on X, Dar emphasized, “Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan stand together for regional peace, stability, and development.”
This agreement is part of Dar’s three-day visit to Beijing, marking his first significant diplomatic engagement following escalations in the India-Pakistan conflict. The visit has laid the groundwork for the upcoming 6th Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled to take place in Kabul at a mutually agreed time, as indicated by Pakistan’s foreign ministry.
India has consistently voiced opposition to the CPEC, particularly concerning its trajectory through areas administered by Pakistan that India claims as its own. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has previously asserted that involvement by third countries in such projects violates India’s sovereignty.
The CPEC stands as a cornerstone of China’s Belt and Road project, aiming to construct modern trade and transport networks connecting China with various coastal and inland economies across Asia. Its expansion into Afghanistan is viewed as a strategic effort by both China and Pakistan to bolster their regional influence while providing economic opportunities to the Taliban-led government in Kabul.
