Pakistan–China–Afghanistan Trilateral Meetings

The Pakistan–China–Afghanistan trilateral meeting is a periodic forum launched in 2017 at the foreign-minister level. It was created explicitly to build political trust, coordinate on counterterrorism, and promote economic integration among the three neighbors (Mehsud,2025). The three sides had earlier met in 2015 at a lower level to enhance strategic mutual trust. China and Pakistan are among the countries continuing diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan’s current administration.

Recent Meeting Overview

The latest trilateral session took place in Kabul on May 10, 2025. Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi hosted the talks, joined by China’s special envoy Yue Xiaoyong and Pakistan’s representative Mohammad Sadiq.  The meeting focused on the economic and security outlook of the region, with all parties pledging to deepen cooperation. 

According to Afghan and Pakistani reports, the three sides reviewed their previous commitments and agreed that the next (sixth) foreign ministers’ dialogue will also be held in Kabul. News sources indicate support for extending the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. Pakistan and China also expressed interest in trade and infrastructure cooperation with Kabul.

Geopolitical Stakes

Pakistan needs a stable  Afghanistan that can help prevent cross-border militancy and reduce Indian influence in its neighborhood. Islamabad’s statements emphasize good-neighborly relations and non-interference. (Mehsud,2025) In effect, Pakistan hopes that working with China and the Taliban regime will keep Afghanistan aligned against outside pressure.

China’s focus is to integrate Afghanistan into its Belt and Road Initiative.  Beijing views a stable Afghanistan as key to protecting China’s western frontier, while also securing economic routes to Central Asia. Chinese analysts note that recent meetings have focused on “security, stability and development” and on “expanding CPEC” into Afghanistan. Chinese officials pledge to help link Afghanistan by road and rail to Pakistan and Central Asia, even as they press the Taliban to suppress any militants that threaten China.

For Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government, the trilateral offers much-needed recognition, aid, and transit connectivity.  The Taliban have welcomed projects that would integrate Afghanistan into regional trade networks.  After the May 2023 trilateral in Islamabad, a  decision was made to extend CPEC into Afghan territory.  In short, the Taliban regime is on closer ties with China and Pakistan to secure its international legitimacy and economic development.

Security and Regional Stability

In the most recent meeting, the joint statement was notable for including the Taliban’s commitment to disallow any extremist group from using Afghan soil to threaten neighbors. China’s foreign ministry pointed out it was the first time the Taliban put such a pledge in writing.  The declaration specifically named groups of concern, including Pakistan’s Taliban insurgents and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.

During Pakistan’s April 2025 diplomatic visit to Kabul, Pakistan’s leaders complained that militants who attack inside Pakistan find safe havens across the border. (Reuters)  Conversely, Kabul often defends itself by recalling Pakistan’s own struggles with armed groups.  China, for its part, urgently seeks assurances that Xinjiang cadres will not regroup in Afghanistan. (Ap news)  Publicly, the three governments reiterate a shared goal of stability: China and Pakistan have repeatedly stressed that peace in Afghanistan is essential for infrastructure links to flourish.  Behind the scenes, however, skepticism persists about the depth of each party’s cooperation on intelligence-sharing and border control.

Economic and Connectivity Aspects

Economic integration has become an integral pillar of the trilateral agenda.  All parties repeatedly endorse linking Afghanistan into China’s flagship Belt and Road projects.  In Kabul, officials “reaffirmed their resolve to fully harness Afghanistan’s potential as a hub for regional connectivity,” and pledged to “jointly extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan”.  In line with this, the May 2025 discussions reportedly agreed to route CPEC through Afghan territory.  Pakistani diplomats called the meetings “constructive” for trade and economic cooperation, aiming to build on understandings from 2023. Concrete projects still face hurdles.  China has sketched plans for new highways or railways linking Afghanistan to Iran and Pakistan, and even pledged technical aid for Afghan mines and power grids.

References:

Mehsud, I. (2025, May 10). Afghanistan hosts China, Pakistan envoys for trilateral talks. Associated Press. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2600235/pakistan

Al Jazeera. (2023, May 6). China hosts Pakistan, Afghanistan in trilateral talks as it pushes Belt and Road in region.

Reuters. (2025, April 19). Taliban minister expresses concern to Pakistan over Afghan repatriation drive. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-minister-expresses-concern-pakistan-over-afghan-repatriation-drive-2025-04-19/

Chia, C. (2024, May 1). The China–Pakistan–Afghanistan Triangle. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2024/05/the-china-pakistan-afghanistan-triangle/