Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), has met with the Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, in Beijing, TOLOnews reported on May 21.
As part of efforts to expand regional engagement, Amir Khan Muttaqi reportedly discussed the expansion of bilateral relations, strengthening economic cooperation, and removing trade barriers.
Zia Ahmad Takal, the head of public relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said about the meetings: “The Foreign Minister considers China one of Afghanistan's important economic partners and said that in the near future, both countries will focus on boosting trade.”
Simultaneously, the Pakistan foreign ministry stated that during the informal trilateral meeting among Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan in Beijing, topics such as enhancing diplomatic engagement, strengthening cooperation, launching joint infrastructure projects, developing China's Belt and Road Initiative, and extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan were discussed.
Zia Ahmad Takal reportedly added: “The Foreign Ministers of China and Pakistan assured further development of relations with Afghanistan based on good neighborliness and mutual respect. Ultimately, the three parties agreed to increase trade among the countries and facilitate transit.”
According to officials, it was agreed on the sidelines of this trilateral meeting that the sixth formal meeting of the three countries’ foreign ministers will soon be held in Kabul — a move that experts believe can enhance Afghanistan’s role in regional interactions.
Yousuf Amin Zazai, a political analyst, stated: “We must expand interactions with the world, especially with regional and trans-regional countries, and we welcome such relations and meetings.”
Shamsurrahman Ahmadi, another political analyst, said: “These meetings can instill confidence in the global community that the Afghan government seeks positive relations with all countries.”
This reportedly comes as Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting minister of foreign affairs, also traveled to Iran earlier this week, where he participated in the Tehran Dialogue Forum and held discussions with senior Iranian officials about expanding political and economic relations between Kabul and Tehran.
