Afghan Taliban Hosts Trilateral Dialogue to Boost Regional Cooperation
The Afghan government under the Taliban administration has called for mutual respect and constructive engagement with Pakistan and China during a high-level trilateral meeting in Kabul. Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani hosted the talks with Chinese Special Envoy Yue Xiaoyong and Pakistani Special Envoy Mohammad Sadiq.
Established in 2017, the trilateral dialogue aims to enhance political, economic, and security ties between the three nations. During the May 10 meeting, Haqqani emphasized the importance of strengthening regional bonds. “From the Islamic Emirate’s perspective, the advancement of relations can be achieved through mutual respect and constructive engagement,” stated Afghanistan’s interior ministry.
Both Chinese and Pakistani envoys reaffirmed their commitment to supporting regional stability and neighborly cooperation. They also agreed to convene the sixth round of the Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue in Kabul, building upon the momentum from earlier meetings in Islamabad and Beijing.
Meetings Focus on Security, Terrorism, and Political Stability
In a separate engagement, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with both envoys and their teams to follow up on the agenda of the fifth round of trilateral foreign minister-level dialogue held in May 2023 in Islamabad.
That earlier round had strongly emphasized the non-use of national territories by terrorist groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), stressing the need to protect regional peace and interests.
The recent meeting in Kabul further reiterated this stance. Although no date was announced for the next foreign ministers’ summit, Afghan officials confirmed that preparations are underway. FM Muttaqi expressed hope for continued political and economic progress with both China and Pakistan.
Ambassador Sadiq described the engagement as an opportunity for convergence on economic collaboration, regional security, and long-term cooperation.
Economic Projects and Trade Initiatives on the Agenda
In addition to political and security talks, the Pakistani and Chinese special envoys also held a meeting with Afghan Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi. The focus was on expanding trade, boosting investment, and launching joint economic projects.
Key initiatives discussed included:
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Establishment of joint industrial parks and special economic zones
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Launching joint export processing centres
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Organizing trilateral trade fairs
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Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises
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Improving banking relations between the three nations
Minister Azizi reiterated the Taliban administration’s economy-first policy, aimed at drawing foreign investment. He formally invited his counterparts from Pakistan and China to visit Afghanistan for further dialogue and collaboration.
