Occurred in the Islamabad from 5 May to 8 May.
At foreign minister level.
Participants; Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.
Areas Discussed; Trade, regional connectivity, economic integration, counter terrorism and border security etc.
- Participants emphasized on hard and soft connectivity.
- Hard Connectivity; connecting routes and infrastructure in order to bring regional economic integration. Various possible options of extending CPEC to Afghanistan.
- Soft Connectivity: connecting and exchanging norms and standards with each other in order to make sure peaceful and prosperous coexistence in the region.
Importance and future prospects of the Trilateral Talks:
- Important for the Taliban regime; Taliban regime is in isolation since forming the government. No state has recognized it yet. This meeting is a major development in terms of regional political engagement for the regime.
- Counter terrorism: Issue of TTP and border insurgency. Promised not to allow their grounds, airspace to be used against each other.
- Taliban government again stressed on table talks between TTP and Islamabad and offered their facilitation and mediation; shows possible resumption of talks in the future.
Importance for Pakistan:
- Pakistan is keen to address the issues of terrorism and border security more than any other topic.
- Pakistan again raised the issue of TTP presence on Afghan Soil. Previously, few months ago Pakistan’s top level delegation also addressed the mentioned issue during its visit to Kabul.
- Pakistan wants decisive policy from Afghanistan, regarding TTP presence on Afghan soil.
Importance for China:
- China’s concerns regarding Uighur Muslims and East Turkistan Islamic Movement were comprehensively addressed.
- China’s commitments for extending CPEC to Afghanistan and regional economic connectivity.
- Peace and stability is vital for any possible economic cooperation; china values this factor.
Taliban government in Afghanistan is the major reality in the existing situation; therefore, instead of isolating its regime, the only practical and realistic approach is to engage them politically. This is important for resolving the issues of the region as well as those of Afghanistan. From the very first day, Pakistan and china are going in right direction in terms of engaging Taliban ruled Afghanistan. The recent trilateral talks may be proven pivotal in this regard.
