China now mediates Pakistan-Afghanistan
CHINA’S State Councilor and Foreign Minister H.E. Qin Gang and Afghan interim Foreign Minister H.E. Amir Khan Muttaqi have paid an official visit to Pakistan. The two-day (May 5,6) was the first official visit of the Chinese FM Qin Gang to Pakistan since assuming office. Pakistani authorities warmly welcomed the Chinese and interim Afghan Foreign Ministers on their arrival in Pakistan. The strategic talks amongst the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan are very important as for as the future of the region is concerned. The Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan met in Islamabad for a trilateral meeting that aimed to forge cooperation on the vexed Afghan issue and also have interactions with top Pakistani leaders.
The two sides reaffirmed the abiding vitality of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, developed a roadmap for multidimensional cooperation between Pakistan and China and discussed the evolving regional and global landscape. The 3rd round of the Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue took place in July 2021 in Chengdu, China. Afghan interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi led a high-level delegation, including Acting Afghan Minister for Commerce and Industry Haji Nooruddin Azizi and senior officials from the Afghan ministries of foreign affairs, transport, and trade. The visit of the interim Afghan Foreign Minister was a continuation of Pakistan’s political engagement process with Afghanistan. During the four-day stay in Pakistan (May 5,8), the Afghan leader would also have bilateral meetings with Pakistani leaders and the two sides would review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations in the political, economic, trade, connectivity, peace, security and education domains.
The FMs of the three nations attended the 5th China-Pakistan-Afghanistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue held on May 6. The 4th edition of the dialogue was held in China in June 2021 just weeks before the Taliban seized power in Kabul and the three neighbors had agreed to enhance cooperation in multiple fields. The dialogue was launched in 2017. The visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister to Pakistan is a manifestation of frequent talks between the officials of the two countries. Pakistan and China are linked in a bond of eternal friendship. Pakistan and Afghanistan also need to continue discussing bilateral issues at the official level. There is an urgent need to establish an atmosphere of trust and cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan for regional peace and stability. Both countries are suffering from insecurity and terrorism. If the two countries find a lasting solution to their mutual differences, terrorists will not get a chance to shatter the peace of the region.
There is dire need to promote high level trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Increased trade is the only possible factor for the development of political and diplomatic relations. China has played its positive and pivotal role in improving the harmonious relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia and in near future the role of Chinese leadership will be very important in addressing the decades-old misunderstandings and mistrust between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Chinese leadership believes in the philosophy of economic development and elimination of regional differences. Because of the positive and effective role of China, the relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan will be promoted. For decades Saudi-Iran enmity caused serious damage to the entire Muslim Ummah but it was China which took positive initiative regarding Saudi-Iran bilateral relationship making.
The Chinese nation is very wise and cool-headed. Love, harmony, coordination, cooperation, progress and development are the core objectives of China. Pakistani and Afghan nations are hot and strong-headed and hardly understand political and diplomatic delicacies and ground realities. India and America believe in the ideology of hatred and divide and rule. This ideology is derived from enmity. Chinese philosophy is the negation of American philosophy. China believes in life and prosperity while America and India believe in death and destruction. After successful mediation of China in Iran- Saudi matter now China has decided to play its positive role for the solution of Pakistan- Afghanistan conflicts, misunderstandings and safer future of China-Pakistan Economic corridor.
With calmness and confidence in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia, CPEC will guarantee success. This scribe is sure here again Chinese diplomacy and politics will work. Peace and prosperity can only be achieved with a cool and rational approach about the core issues of the region. Countries and the nations only make progress when they are not involved in non-productive matters. Unpleasant matters always drag unwise nations towards marshes of poverty, illiteracy and illness. China very successfully has addressed these main monsters while both border sharing Pakistan and Afghanistan are suffering from these ailments even in the 21st century. China has successfully asserted its might and influence in the Saudi-Iran matter. With its politics and diplomacy China will now bring harmony between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
—The writer is editor, book ambassador, political analyst and author of several books on politics and international affairs based in Islamabad.
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