KABUL: Amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, Afghanistan has assured Islamabad that the western border will remain peaceful, diplomatic sources revealed on Sunday. The assurance followed successful talks led by Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq Khan, during his visit to Kabul.
The commitment to a stable western front came during a key trilateral meeting between envoys from Pakistan, China, and senior Taliban officials, focused on enhancing regional connectivity and including Afghanistan in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Sunday marked the first in a series of meetings hosted at the Afghan Interior Ministry, attended by Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, Chinese Special Envoy Yue Xiaoyong, and Pakistan’s Mohammad Sadiq, along with their respective delegations. The session aimed to build on outcomes from the fifth trilateral dialogue among the foreign ministers of the three countries and prepare for the upcoming sixth round, which will be held in Kabul.
Minister Haqqani emphasized the need for stronger regional collaboration, stressing that mutual respect and constructive engagement are essential for advancing political and economic ties.
Both Chinese and Pakistani envoys reiterated their dedication to fostering good neighborly relations and deepening cooperation with Afghanistan. They confirmed that the sixth foreign ministers’ trilateral dialogue would take place in Kabul.
According to sources, Haqqani privately assured Islamabad of Kabul’s intention to maintain calm on the western border, offering quiet diplomatic support during Pakistan’s current standoff with India.
The special envoys also held talks with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, where consensus emerged on enhancing economic cooperation, regional security, and political stability. Muttaqi reaffirmed Afghanistan’s “unwavering support” for Pakistan during the tense period.
Additionally, the Chinese and Pakistani envoys met with Afghan Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi to discuss extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan and other areas of trade and economic collaboration.
“We had productive discussions on strengthening trade ties and agreed to build upon the progress made during the May 2023 trilateral in Islamabad, particularly on expanding CPEC to include Afghanistan,” said Mohammad Sadiq in a media briefing.
