{"id":51858,"date":"2025-08-21T21:12:40","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T15:42:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=51858"},"modified":"2025-08-23T12:32:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T07:02:08","slug":"cpec-extension-kabul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/21-08-2025\/cpec-extension-kabul","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan, China and Afghanistan agree to extend CPEC to Kabul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ International Relations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The foreign ministers of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan agreed to expand their cooperation in multiple fields, including extension of the <strong>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) <\/strong>to Kabul.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Objectives of the Trilateral meetings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Connectivity and Economic Integration:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Extend CPEC into Afghanistan, linking it to Central Asian markets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Completion of railway lines connecting Afghanistan to Pakistan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exploration of Afghan mineral resources with Chinese investment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Political and Diplomatic Normalisation:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Upgrade diplomatic representation between Afghanistan and Pakistan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bring Taliban formally into the BRI framework despite lack of global recognition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Security Cooperation:<\/strong> Pakistan wants Afghanistan\u2019s Taliban government to act against the <strong>Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP),<\/strong> which operates from Afghan soil and frequently attacks Pakistani security forces.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>China has voiced concern over the <strong>Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM),<\/strong> accusing its fighters of using Afghan territory to launch attacks against China.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of the meeting for concerned countries<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>For China:&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Securing CPEC and BRI Projects:<\/strong> China wants to ensure the smooth progress of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-11-2022\/china-pakistan-economic-corridor-cpec\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-11-2022\/china-pakistan-economic-corridor-cpec\">China\u2013Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)<\/a>, which is central to its Belt and Road Initiative. Instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan threatens Chinese investments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expanding Economic Footprint: <\/strong>By including Afghanistan, China can access Central Asia\u2019s trade routes and tap into Afghanistan\u2019s mineral wealth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regional Influence: <\/strong>The meeting strengthens China\u2019s image as a mediator and power broker in South Asia after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>For Afghanistan (Taliban Regime):<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Political Legitimacy: <\/strong>Taliban remains internationally unrecognised. Participation in Chinese-led platforms gives it diplomatic visibility and quasi-legitimacy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Benefits: <\/strong>Extension of CPEC promises infrastructure, trade routes, and investment, much-needed for Afghanistan\u2019s struggling economy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Balancing Regional Relations: <\/strong>Engagement with both Pakistan and China helps Taliban reduce isolation and project itself as a serious regional actor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>For Pakistan:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Security Concerns:<\/strong> Pakistan faces rising attacks from TTP fighters based in Afghanistan. The trilateral provides a channel to press the Taliban to act against them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reviving CPEC:<\/strong> Political instability and militant attacks slowed down CPEC projects. Chinese involvement is vital to revive economic momentum.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diplomatic Leverage:<\/strong> By being central to both China and Afghanistan\u2019s connectivity ambitions, Pakistan reinforces its role as a <strong>gateway to Central Asia.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impact on India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sovereignty Concerns:<\/strong> India has consistently opposed the China\u2013Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Any expansion of CPEC into Afghanistan further entrenches Pakistan and China\u2019s projects in disputed territory, undermining India\u2019s claims.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strategic Marginalisation:<\/strong> The trilateral excludes India, despite its historic role in Afghan development (infrastructure, Parliament building, hospitals).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Security Challenges:<\/strong> Stronger China\u2013Pakistan\u2013Afghanistan alignment could embolden extremist elements hostile to India, especially if Taliban legitimisation continues without conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Connectivity Competition: <\/strong>China\u2019s push for westward connectivity undermines Indian alternatives such as the <strong>Chabahar Port project<\/strong> and<strong> International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead for India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strategic Autonomy and Balancing: <\/strong>Continue selective engagement with China, maintain dialogue with the US, and strengthen ties with Russia, EU, and Indo-Pacific partners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deeper Engagement with Afghanistan: <\/strong>Use humanitarian aid, infrastructure projects, and educational diplomacy to retain goodwill among Afghan people.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Engage Taliban pragmatically without granting premature recognition, ensuring Indian security concerns are raised consistently.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enhanced Security Cooperation:<\/strong> Expand counterterror cooperation with SCO members, Central Asia, and even Taliban interlocutors where necessary, to prevent Afghan soil from being used against India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Connectivity Alternatives:<\/strong> Accelerated work on Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to provide a counter-route linking India with Central Asia and Europe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Concluding remarks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The China\u2013Pakistan\u2013Afghanistan trilateral reflects China\u2019s bid to secure its economic and security interests in South Asia.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India must carefully calibrate its diplomacy\u2014balancing engagement with global and regional powers, while advancing alternative connectivity and security frameworks that safeguard its national interests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/international\/wang-yi-holds-trilateral-talks-with-taliban-pakistan-fms\/article69957169.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The foreign ministers of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan agreed to expand their cooperation in multiple fields, including extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Kabul.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Concluding remarks<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The China\u2013Pakistan\u2013Afghanistan trilateral reflects China\u2019s bid to secure its economic and security interests in South Asia.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">India must carefully calibrate its diplomacy\u2014balancing engagement with global and regional powers, while advancing alternative connectivity and security frameworks that safeguard its national interests.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/21-08-2025\/cpec-extension-kabul\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51858"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51908,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51858\/revisions\/51908"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}