In a significant development for regional connectivity, Afghanistan has formally agreed to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor during high-level trilateral talks in Beijing. The agreement that Afghanistan joins CPEC marks a strategic expansion of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, bringing the Taliban-led government into a major infrastructure network despite its lack of formal recognition by participating nations. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted his counterparts from Afghanistan and Pakistan – Amir Khan Muttaki and Ishaq Dar respectively – where they finalized plans to extend existing CPEC projects into Afghan territory.
The decision that Afghanistan joins CPEC comes amid ongoing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul over border security and counterterrorism operations, though both nations simultaneously agreed to expedite ambassadorial exchanges. While neither China nor Pakistan officially recognize the Taliban administration, Beijing has steadily deepened engagement since 2021, culminating in this infrastructure partnership. The Taliban’s foreign ministry emphasized Afghanistan’s commitment to regional stability through enhanced economic cooperation, with Muttaki framing the agreement that Afghanistan joins CPEC as foundational for long-term development.
China’s foreign ministry confirmed the inclusion of Afghanistan in CPEC under the broader Belt and Road framework, reaffirming Beijing’s support for both Pakistan and Afghanistan’s territorial sovereignty. The trilateral statement highlighted shared security concerns, with all parties committing to combat terrorism as prerequisite for successful economic integration. This development that Afghanistan joins CPEC represents China’s calculated effort to extend influence across Central Asia, transforming the corridor into a tri-nation enterprise with access to critical mineral resources and trade routes.
Analysts observe that Afghanistan joining CPEC allows China to secure alternative energy pathways while gaining leverage in regional diplomacy. The timing proves particularly strategic for Pakistan, following recent tensions with India and economic challenges that make Chinese investment increasingly vital. For the Taliban, participation in CPEC offers potential legitimacy and infrastructure development amid international isolation, though details regarding specific projects, funding mechanisms, and implementation timelines remain undisclosed.
The Beijing meeting marked Pakistani Foreign Minister Dar’s first visit to China since assuming office, underscoring CPEC’s renewed priority for Islamabad. As Afghanistan joins CPEC, the partnership may face challenges including security risks in border regions, international sanctions on the Taliban regime, and competing interests among stakeholders. However, the trilateral framework establishes a new paradigm for regional connectivity that could reshape Central Asia’s economic geography, with China positioned as the primary architect and beneficiary of this expanded corridor.
Observers note that while Afghanistan joins CPEC in principle, practical implementation will require resolving longstanding Pakistan-Afghan disputes and creating stable conditions for infrastructure development. The agreement nevertheless signals China’s confidence in projecting economic influence through the Belt and Road Initiative, even in politically complex environments. As details emerge about specific projects and investments, the ramifications of Afghanistan joining CPEC will become clearer for regional trade patterns, geopolitical alignments, and great power competition in Central Asia.
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