Pakistan, China, Afghanistan Unite with China
The trilateral agreement marks a significant milestone in regional cooperation, with the three countries committing to work together to promote economic development, stability, and security. The extension of CPEC to Afghanistan is expected to boost trade and investment in the region, while China's support for Pakistan and Afghanistan will help to safeguard their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan have agreed to deepen their cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, promoting regional security and economic connectivity. The agreement was reached during an informal 5th trilateral meeting in Beijing, attended by high-ranking officials from the three countries.
The meeting, which was attended by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, reaffirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation for promoting regional security and economic connectivity. They discussed enhancing diplomatic engagement, strengthening communications, and boosting trade, infrastructure, and development to drive shared prosperity.
China expressed support for Pakistan and Afghanistan in safeguarding their territorial integrity and sovereignty. The ministers agreed to hold the 6th Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kabul at an early date. Separately, Dar met with Muttaqi and Wang Yi, discussing various topics including the situation in South Asia, bilateral relations, and multilateral cooperation.
China emphasized its commitment to elevating bilateral relations with Pakistan to new heights of cooperation and collaboration. The two countries reviewed the positive trajectory of their bilateral ties and expressed satisfaction with the progress of CPEC Phase II. They also underscored the importance of CPEC for regional connectivity and economic development.
The extension of CPEC to Afghanistan and the deepening of BRI cooperation are expected to have a significant impact on regional economic development and stability. With China's support, Pakistan and Afghanistan are poised to strengthen their economies and promote peace and prosperity in the region.