Islamabad: The foreign ministers of Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan will hold crucial trilateral talks in Kabul on August 20, diplomatic sources revealed. The high-level meeting will include Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Pakistan’s Deputy PM & Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Key agenda items include counterterrorism cooperation and the potential expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan.
This meeting comes weeks after a planned visit by Muttaqi to Pakistan was abruptly cancelled on August 5, with both nations citing “technical reasons.” However, sources later confirmed that the UN Security Council denied permission for the trip, as Muttaqi remains on a UN-sanctioned list of Taliban members. The cancellation highlighted ongoing diplomatic complexities surrounding Afghanistan’s interim government.
Following the Kabul talks, Chinese FM Wang Yi is expected to travel to Pakistan on August 21, signaling Beijing’s continued engagement with regional partners. The discussions are seen as a significant step toward enhancing security and economic ties among the three nations, particularly as Afghanistan seeks greater integration into regional infrastructure projects like CPEC.
Analysts suggest the talks could pave the way for greater Taliban participation in regional diplomacy, despite international restrictions. The outcome may also influence future counterterrorism strategies and economic connectivity in South and Central Asia. The meeting underscores China’s growing role as a mediator in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations while advancing its own strategic interests in the region.
