Newspaper Article 2 days ago
Trilateral talks push to extend CPEC to Afghanistan, boosting regional connectivity, economic growth, and joint efforts against terrorism in South Asia
The trilateral meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China in Beijing (May 21, 2025) called for extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. This reflects trilateral cooperation in the region, aiming to enhance economic connectivity and regional collaboration. The 6th Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held in Kabul.
Afghanistan has endured wars for decades and has been a battleground for competing powers. The country was a theatre of Cold War politics. Since 2000, terrorism has emerged as a global challenge, and to dismantle Al-Qaeda, the US-led coalition targeted terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan. However, whether the deployment of troops in Afghanistan defeated terrorism or brought stability remains questionable. The facts on the ground indicate that Afghanistan remains economically weak, and terrorism persists. Terrorism has evolved over the years, spreading across the region. Pakistan, as Afghanistan’s neighbour, has borne the brunt of the instability.
Considering past policies aimed at tackling Afghanistan’s instability and the countermeasures undertaken, not much success is evident. The inclusion of Afghanistan in regional connectivity marks a significant shift from previous approaches. Afghanistan provides a vital link to Central Asia, and a peaceful Afghanistan could become a key connector in Central-South economic integration. This characteristic highlights Afghanistan’s importance in the regional context. With Afghanistan’s inclusion in regional connectivity, the country, often seen through the prism of war and terrorism, will now be viewed through a development lens. Regional connectivity, led by CPEC, offers Afghanistan an opportunity to grow economically and embrace stability.
During the trilateral meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called upon the three countries to “oppose all forms of terrorism and jointly combat terrorist forces”
Stability in Afghanistan is in the larger interest of the region. The trilateral meeting involving Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China, aimed at strengthening regional connectivity, can be seen as a success of China’s diplomatic efforts. China has investments in Afghanistan, including the Aynak Copper Mine in Logar province, which holds 11 million tonnes of copper. Song Wenbing, head of the Aynak Copper Mine Project, states that the project will create employment opportunities for nearly three thousand Afghans. China has also proposed US$10 billion in investments in Afghanistan’s lithium reserves. Moreover, China plans to offer Afghanistan tariff-free access, presenting an opportunity for Afghanistan to benefit from China’s construction and energy sectors.
The decision to extend CPEC to Afghanistan, aside from offering economic benefits to Afghanistan, will also have a regional impact. China’s economic role in the region will increase significantly. South Asian countries will look towards China and East Asia for trade ties. This economic integration at regional and trans-regional levels will alter the balance of power in South Asia. India, the so-called regional hegemon, will lose ground to regional connectivity and economic prowess.
CPEC is part of China’s larger Belt and Road Initiative. The progress of BRI across world regions demonstrates the project’s popularity in both developing and developed countries. Prior to raising objections to CPEC, India needs to reconsider its choices. In a world where regionalism and economic interdependence are gaining ground, South Asia’s regional dynamics are also shifting. If India can reach out to Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific for economic and political gains, why cannot South Asian economies connect with East and Central Asia? These are emerging trends redefining countries’ political orientations.
Pakistan’s ties with Afghanistan have been at their lowest ebb, as Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Interim Government (AIG) to prevent the use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities. During the trilateral meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called upon the three countries to “oppose all forms of terrorism and jointly combat terrorist forces.” Countering terrorism collectively is another positive development. As “Fitnatul Khawarij” is a regional issue and an obstacle to regional progress, a coherent regional policy is necessary to eradicate Fitnatul Khawarij once and for all. Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan, under the umbrella of regional connectivity, can trilaterally neutralise these terrorists.
Note: This article appeared in The Friday Times.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are of the author and do not necessarily represent Institute’s policy.
