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Top diplomats from China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan met in Kabul for the Sixth Trilateral Foreign Ministers Dialogue, pledging closer cooperation in political, economic, and security fields. The meeting brought together Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

According to statements from both Islamabad and Kabul, the three sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening joint efforts against terrorism, while also highlighting the need for deeper collaboration in trade, transit, regional development, health, education, culture, and combating drug trafficking.

The extension of the multibillion-dollar China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan was also emphasized, with all parties agreeing that greater connectivity would help unlock regional opportunities.

Muttaqi, speaking at the summit, said that development and cooperation could allow the three countries to capitalize on opportunities across a wide range of fields. “This tripartite mechanism gives us the opportunity to do so,” he was quoted as saying.

The meeting marked the second trilateral gathering between the three foreign ministers in just 12 weeks, following talks in Beijing in May that had helped ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan and revived discussions on expanding CPEC.

While in Kabul, Wang Yi also met with the Afghan Prime Minister, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, and the Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani. During the meetings, Wang emphasized that China advocates for equality among all nations, regardless of their size, stressing that the world should not allow the gap between rich and poor countries to widen.

He said, “All countries, including Afghanistan, have the right to thrive and prosper,” adding that China respects the Afghan people’s choice and supports their government in pursuing development, combating terrorism, and building friendly ties with neighbors to achieve lasting peace and security.

The Sixth Trilateral Foreign Ministers Dialogue was held on 20 August 2025 in Kabul between Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan @MIshaqDar50, Foreign Minister of China @MFA_China, and Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan @mfa_afghanistan, focusing on political,… pic.twitter.com/i6n8I2oYgr

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 20, 2025

Since its resumption in 2022, the trilateral dialogue has produced what Wang described as “positive results.” He reaffirmed China’s readiness to work with Afghanistan and Pakistan to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation while supporting efforts to improve bilateral ties and address differences through dialogue. The three countries agreed to expand exchanges at various levels, consolidate strategic trust, and intensify cooperation in multiple fields.

Wang said the mechanism should be used to “promote peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region,” highlighting China’s push for steady, long-term trilateral engagement.

Regional shifts and China’s role

The trilateral dialogue took place against the backdrop of shifting regional dynamics. In recent months, Pakistan has sought to deepen relations with the United States, China’s main global rival, even as it remains dependent on Beijing for economic and military support. China has also resumed engagement with India, Pakistan’s main adversary, while expanding contacts with the Afghan Taliban, who have ruled Afghanistan since the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021.

Relations between Islamabad and Kabul remain strained. Pakistan accuses the Taliban of providing safe havens to groups carrying out cross-border attacks, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of committing human rights violations by expelling Afghan refugees. These tensions complicate China’s ambitions in the region.

For Beijing, the CPEC remains a cornerstone of its Belt and Road Initiative, a vast infrastructure network designed to link Asia, Africa, and Europe. Ensuring security and stability in Pakistan and Afghanistan is seen as essential to expanding the project.

Analysts note that China’s push to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan reflects concerns about the vulnerability of its investments, as militant groups have already targeted Chinese personnel and infrastructure along the CPEC.

CPEC under pressure

Launched in 2015 under Pakistan’s then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor was hailed as a transformative initiative with the potential to modernize infrastructure, boost trade, and stimulate Pakistan’s economy. However, progress has slowed in recent years due to political upheaval, security concerns, and economic instability.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to travel to China later this month to formally launch the second phase of the project, aimed at reviving momentum.

China’s primary concern remains the security of its investments and the safety of its nationals working in Pakistan. According to government figures, nearly 20,000 Chinese citizens currently live in Pakistan, many of whom work on infrastructure and energy projects. Attacks on Chinese nationals have increased in recent years, particularly in Balochistan, where separatist groups accuse Beijing of exploiting local resources. Since 2021, at least 20 Chinese citizens have been killed in targeted attacks across the country.

Persistent security challenges

The rise in militant violence since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan has further strained Pakistan–Afghanistan relations. Data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) shows that in the first half of 2025 alone, 502 militant attacks killed 737 people, including 284 security personnel and 267 civilians. Compared with the same period in 2024, overall attacks rose 5 percent, while deaths surged by 121 percent.

Islamabad continues to allege that Afghan soil is being used by groups carrying out attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban, however, deny these accusations and insist that they do not allow their territory to be used against other states. The presence of the TTP remains a major point of contention.

Founded in 2007, the group is ideologically aligned with the Afghan Taliban but operates independently in both countries. Pakistan views its growing activities as a direct threat to stability, while Afghanistan has resisted pressure to take stronger action against it.

These challenges underscore the fragility of the trilateral dialogue. While Wednesday’s meeting produced pledges of cooperation, the reality on the ground remains complex. China’s efforts to mediate highlight its determination to secure its regional interests, but its ability to manage deep-rooted tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains uncertain.

The Kabul meeting reaffirmed that all three countries see value in closer coordination, particularly in security and economic matters. Yet, translating diplomatic commitments into concrete outcomes will be difficult amid continuing mistrust and violence along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.

For Beijing, the stakes are high. CPEC remains the flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative, but persistent instability has already slowed its progress. Extending it to Afghanistan could offer new trade routes to Central Asia, but only if the security situation improves.

For Islamabad, sustaining Chinese support is critical to reviving its economy and addressing its energy and infrastructure needs. Kabul, meanwhile, sees participation in regional projects as a path to legitimacy and economic survival, especially as international recognition of the Taliban remains limited.

Although the trilateral dialogue in Kabul may not resolve longstanding disputes, it reflects an emerging reality that China is increasingly positioning itself as a mediator in South Asia, while both Pakistan and Afghanistan, despite their differences, recognize the need to engage with Beijing to secure their own national interests.