Connect the region

Last week’s trilateral meeting in Beijing between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi came at quite a critical juncture for South and Central Asia. Against the backdrop of regional tensions and rising militancy, this dialogue represented a much-needed diplomatic push to foster trust, improve connectivity and, most importantly, revive hopes for a stable and secure future. The Beijing meeting marks the second significant diplomatic overture since Dar’s visit to Kabul in April. Both meetings are being seen as confidence-building measures that may yet chart a path out of the current stalemate between Pakistan and the Taliban regime. Relations between the two neighbours have been strained, mainly because of the presence of TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan and the Afghan Taliban’s refusal to act decisively against the group. The cross-border attacks carried out by the TTP have taken a devastating toll on Pakistani security forces and civilians, with Islamabad repeatedly urging Kabul to take concrete action. These appeals have largely been ignored.

China’s growing role in the region – as a mediator, investor and stabiliser – has added new momentum to regional diplomacy. As a close partner of both Pakistan and Afghanistan, China is uniquely positioned to nudge both sides towards meaningful cooperation. Beijing’s emphasis on regional connectivity through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the proposed extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan offers tangible incentives for all parties involved. If the Afghan Taliban are serious about rebuilding their war-torn country and securing international legitimacy, they must demonstrate that they are willing partners in ensuring peace and regional collaboration. A shared recognition is what will really make the trilateral meeting a success: economic goals cannot be met unless the security situation stabilises. Pakistan and China’s reiteration of their strong stance against terrorism, in all its forms, is a message the Afghan regime cannot afford to ignore. Continued support, whether passive or active, for militant elements like the TTP will only isolate the Taliban further from the international community. Afghanistan must understand that providing sanctuary to such groups undermines regional peace and risks derailing its own aspirations for development.

Another sensitive point of contention is the issue of Afghan refugees. Pakistan’s recent efforts to repatriate undocumented Afghan nationals have drawn criticism from Kabul, with Muttaqi expressing concern over the manner of deportations. While Pakistan has pledged to carry out the process with dignity and care, both sides need to manage this issue through sustained dialogue rather than emotional or unilateral reactions. After decades of hosting millions of Afghan refugees, Pakistan’s concerns regarding security and resource strain must also be acknowledged. The importance of institutionalising dialogue, maintaining diplomatic channels and fostering people-to-people and government-to-government contact cannot be overstated. Foreign Minister Dar’s remarks in Beijing about Pakistan’s commitment to continued engagement and regional cooperation must now be matched with reciprocal steps from the Afghan side. Ultimately, the success of such trilateral engagements depends on the will and sincerity of all parties. China has provided a viable platform for cooperation. Pakistan has shown readiness to move forward, despite serious provocations. The ball is now firmly in the court of the Afghan Taliban. They must decide whether they want peace and prosperity or remain shackled to regressive ideologies that perpetuate violence and international isolation. This trilateral meeting is a hopeful sign, but only if followed by action.