Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 7

A day after India participated in a meeting of regional countries on promoting peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan held a Foreign Secretary-level trilateral with Afghanistan and China.

India had participated via video conference in a conference that had about 20 regional countries deliberating on promoting unity and stability in Afghanistan. Delivering his address, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani singled out Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing Covid-related assistance to Afghanistan and for initiating the SAARC leaders’ meeting for coordinated efforts in the region.

A day later, the third China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral saw Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui (former Chinese envoy to India), Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Mirwais Nab and Pakistan Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood discuss in greater depth the unfolding peace process including issues of release of prisoners and the return of refugees.

Both China and Pakistan appreciated the efforts by the Ghani government and “relevant parties” (Taliban) in expediting the exchange of the prisoners to pave the way for the start of the intra-Afghan negotiations. They also agreed that the return of Afghan refugees should be part of the peace and reconciliation process. India has virtually no role on both these issues.

The trilateral joint statement pointedly supported the World Health Organisation’s “leading role” in coordinating global COVID-19 response. China in turn has promised a constructive role in implementing the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).

Significantly, the three sides agreed to continue to strengthen counter-terrorism and security cooperation. They also resolved to combat the “East Turkistan Islamic Movement”, and all other terrorist forces and networks posing threats to the common security of the three countries.