China and Pakistan pledge closer coordination on Afghanistan after Sharif’s Beijing visit

China and Pakistan said they will maintain close coordination on Afghanistan and voiced concern over armed groups operating in the region, according to a joint statement issued after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Beijing. The two countries welcomed an informal trilateral meeting held in April in Urumqi involving China, Pakistan and the Taliban and said they would continue close communication regarding Afghanistan-related issues. Pakistan also praised China’s role in facilitating dialogue between Islamabad and the Taliban at a time when relations between the two sides have faced tensions linked to security concerns. In the statement, Beijing and Islamabad stressed that armed groups should not be allowed to use the territory of regional countries to threaten neighboring states or undermine regional stability. The statement specifically mentioned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and East Turkestan Islamic Movement, saying no organization or individual should be permitted to conduct militant activities from regional territory. China has repeatedly raised concerns about ETIM, while Pakistan has accused the Taliban administration of failing to curb TTP fighters allegedly operating from Afghanistan soil. The Taliban deny the accusations and say Afghanistan territory will not be used against other countries. Security tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban administration have increased in recent months following border clashes, militant attacks and Pakistani military operations near frontier areas. China has expanded its diplomatic engagement in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, seeking regional stability to protect its economic and security interests, including projects linked to the Belt and Road Initiative. The post China and Pakistan pledge closer coordination on Afghanistan after Sharif’s Beijing visit appeared first on Khaama Press.