Islamabad:
Pakistan and Afghanistan have decided to modernize their diplomatic links and in principle agreed to exchange full -time ambassadors, Beijing announced on Wednesday, in a major breakthrough in the bilateral relationship that has remained tense since the Taliban took control of Kabul almost four years ago.
Historical development was announced by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement published after the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, organized a trilateral meeting with the Pakistani and Afghan Foreign Ministers in Beijing.
“Afghanistan and Pakistan have expressed their clear desire to raise diplomatic relations and have in principle agreed to exchange ambassadors as soon as possible,” said Wang in a statement at the end of an informal meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar and the Minister of Afghan Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi.
“China has praised this and will continue to provide assistance for improving Afghan-Pakistani relations,” added the best Chinese diplomat.
Pakistan and Afghanistan maintained the diplomatic presence in the capitals of the other, but the missions were led by busy affairs and not by full -time ambassadors.
The exchange of ambassadors means that Pakistan would come closer to the recognition of the Taliban government. China was the first country which sent a full -time ambassador to Kabul and accepted the Taliban envoy in March this year.
A high Pakistani official said that discussions in Beijing were positive and that all parties agreed to work closely to achieve common goals.
A separate declaration published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not mentioned the upgrading of diplomatic links with Afghanistan.
Unlike the past, Pakistan has decided this time to follow the international community on the issue of recognition. Initially, when the Taliban took over, Pakistan advocated commitment to the new regime and persuaded the countries to recognize the government as soon as possible.
However, Pakistan’s own links with the Taliban government have deteriorated in a few months following the change of government in Kabul, forcing Islamabad to change its position. Pakistan then decided to link recognition of the Taliban government, Kabul acting decisively against terrorist groups, including Pakistan of Tehreek-E-Taliban Prohibited (TTP).
It is believed that China was pushing both sides behind the scenes to solve their problems through dialogue. The sources said that for the first time, the Taliban government had shown not only the will, but had initiated certain stages to curb the groups operating outside its territory.
The question of terrorism was one of the main discussion points during the three -pale talks in Beijing. The Chinese official read said that Wang had underlined the need to fight terrorism in all its forms and demonstrations. He also called for joint cooperation to combat the threat of terrorism.
At the same time, the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs warned both parties to remain vigilant against external interference in internal affairs of regional countries. Although no country has been mentioned by its name, the reference to external interference seems to suggest India.
In the wake of recent climbing in tensions in a military conflict between India and Pakistan, New Delhi was trying to contact the Taliban government. Breaking with his policy for several decades, the Indian Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, maintained the acting Afghan Minister for Foreign Affairs.
This decision seems to be part of the recalibration of India in order to put pressure on Pakistan. But the meeting in Beijing seems to have prevented this decision. The Declaration of the Chinese Foreign Ministry suggested that there was a great incentive for the Taliban government to work closely with Beijing and Islamabad.
The statement stressed that Beijing and Islamabad were ready to extend the “Chinese-Pakistani economic corridor (CPEC) in Afghanistan in order to strengthen and build regional connectivity networks.
Meanwhile, the press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the three foreign ministers organized a broad and constructive dialogue to deepen cooperation through improved communication and mutual trust. They reaffirmed the importance of the trilateral platform to support peace, regional development and to advance their strategic vision for regional connectivity.
Presenting recent improvements in the security environment of Afghanistan, they have recognized solid economic ties and connectivity as essential conditions for regional growth and prosperity. They also stressed the importance of continuous diplomatic engagement and practical cooperation in the trilateral framework.
The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promote close and cooperative ties with Afghanistan, in particular in trade, transit, health and connectivity.
China and Pakistan have reiterated their support for the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan in the broader framework of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation. China has expressed support to Pakistan and Afghanistan to safeguard their territorial integrity, their sovereignty and their national dignity.
Recognizing the importance of eradicating terrorism and external threats from the region as necessary to achieve economic and connectivity objectives, all parties have agreed to improve security cooperation in order to promote peace and stability.
They reiterated their position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It was agreed that the 6th trilateral meeting of foreign ministers would be held in Kabul on an early and mutually practical date.
