In a familiar refrain, the Taliban administration has once again pledged that Afghan territory will not be used to threaten neighbouring countries; a commitment made during trilateral talks in Kabul on Wednesday, involving China and Pakistan.
The assurance was delivered by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during a meeting with his Chinese and Pakistani counterparts, held on the sidelines of a broader summit aimed at bolstering regional cooperation on security, trade, and connectivity.
Muttaqi reiterated that Afghanistan seeks peaceful relations with its neighbours and will not allow any group to use its soil for cross-border violence. However, this is not the first time such assurances have been made. Despite repeated promises, recent international reports; including a United Nations monitoring team assessment, suggest that militant groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and others continue to operate from Afghan territory, raising questions about the Taliban’s ability or willingness to fully curb their activities.
During the meeting, Muttaqi also proposed the formation of a joint technical commission with China to enhance economic collaboration, particularly in transit, trade balance, and banking systems. He hailed China as a “reliable commercial partner” and voiced optimism for increased bilateral trade.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, for his part, emphasized Beijing’s desire to deepen ties with Kabul. He highlighted China’s ongoing support for Afghanistan’s economic revival, including plans for new mining projects and integration into regional transit frameworks. Wang noted that efforts are underway to eliminate barriers to Afghan agricultural exports and to expand investment in resource development.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also held separate talks with Muttaqi, with both sides focusing on border management and counter-terrorism cooperation.
The trilateral discussions come at a sensitive time for the region, as concerns over cross-border militancy persist, particularly from Islamabad’s perspective. Observers say such high-level engagements, while symbolically important, will ultimately be measured by action on the ground rather than repeated diplomatic assurances.
