ISLAMABAD: As the seventh round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’Strategic Dialogue commenced in Beijing, attention has turned to regionalsecurity dynamics, particularly the strained relations between Pakistan andAfghanistan. Former Pakistani ambassador to Afghanistan, Mansoor AhmadKhan, has advocated for revitalising the trilateral mechanism involvingAfghanistan, Pakistan, and China to address bilateral tensions. Thisproposal comes at a critical juncture when cross-border security concernsand trade disruptions persist.
The trilateral framework, initially established in 2017, has facilitateddiscussions on counter-terrorism, security cooperation, and economicintegration. Recent developments, including the sixth formal dialogue heldin Kabul in August 2025, underscored commitments to extend theChina-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan and enhance joint effortsagainst militant groups. Khan emphasised that this platform couldeffectively tackle issues related to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan andborder management.
Khan stated that Pakistan and China should actively explore the trilateralagreement to combat TTP activities and restore cross-border movement ofpeople, trade, and transit. His remarks highlight the potential of themechanism to foster dialogue and reduce mistrust between Islamabad andKabul. The dialogue has historically aimed at promoting regional stabilitythrough mutual consultations on shared challenges.
Political analyst Najib Paikan noted that while mediation efforts by Qatar,Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have been attempted, China’s influence overPakistan and its close ties with the Taliban administration position ituniquely to drive meaningful progress. China’s leverage stems from itseconomic engagements and diplomatic relations with both nations, making itsrole potentially more impactful in de-escalating tensions.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has consistently affirmed its commitment to aconstructive role in improving Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. This stancealigns with Beijing’s broader interests in regional connectivity under theBelt and Road Initiative, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.Stable bilateral ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan are essential foradvancing these projects and ensuring security along shared borders.
Historical context reveals that the trilateral foreign ministers’ dialoguewas revived in 2022 after a pause, with subsequent meetings in 2023 andinformal sessions in May 2025 leading to agreements on diplomatic upgradesand counter-terrorism cooperation. The August 2025 session in Kabul furtherreinforced pledges for economic integration and security collaboration,demonstrating the mechanism’s evolving relevance.
Experts observe that persistent issues, such as allegations of safe havensfor militants and border clashes, have hindered progress. However, thetrilateral format provides a neutral platform for addressing these concernsthrough structured engagement. Reviving regular consultations could buildconfidence and lead to practical outcomes in trade facilitation andpeople-to-people contacts.
China’s mediation efforts have yielded results in the past, includingfacilitating diplomatic exchanges and commitments to prevent territory usefor terrorist activities. As Pakistan faces increased security threatsattributed to cross-border militancy, leveraging China’s relations with theTaliban could encourage Kabul to take decisive actions against groups likethe TTP.
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The ongoing Pakistan-China strategic dialogue offers an opportune moment todiscuss regional stability. With both nations marking 75 years ofdiplomatic ties in 2026, enhanced coordination on Afghanistan couldstrengthen their all-weather partnership while contributing to broaderpeace efforts in South Asia.
Analysts suggest that successful utilisation of the trilateral mechanismwould not only resolve immediate bilateral disputes but also pave the wayfor greater economic interdependence. Extending infrastructure projects andimproving transit routes remain key priorities, contingent on improvedsecurity and political trust.
In conclusion, the call to revive the trilateral dialogue reflects apragmatic approach to longstanding challenges. With China’s activeinvolvement and mutual interests in stability, this framework holds promisefor fostering durable solutions and advancing regional prosperity.
Source:https://www.dawn.com
Tags: Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, TTP, CPEC, Trilateral Dialogue, MansoorAhmad Khan
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