Kabul, August 20, 2025 – Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China held a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers in Kabul on Tuesday. The talks focused on counterterrorism, regional security, economic cooperation, and extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan.
Key Participants
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Communist Party’s Political Bureau, and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the meeting. Afghanistan was represented by Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Meeting Agenda
The sixth round of the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue followed the last session in Beijing on May 21, 2025. Officials discussed counterterrorism, trade expansion, and the review of earlier agreements.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry said the talks aimed to strengthen political ties, open new avenues for economic cooperation, and improve regional security. Sources confirmed that the agenda included concerns about terrorist groups in Afghanistan, particularly the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Importance for Kabul
For the Taliban-led government, the meeting was a major diplomatic achievement. Analysts said Kabul’s role as host signaled its intent to build trust with regional powers. The talks are expected to end with a joint statement outlining areas of cooperation.
Chinese and Pakistani Engagements
Wang Yi arrived in Kabul after a two-day visit to New Delhi. This is his first visit to Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power. He is scheduled to meet senior Taliban leaders separately.
Ishaq Dar, making his third Kabul visit since April, will also hold bilateral talks with Afghan officials. He will present Pakistan’s strategy to enhance trilateral ties.
Next Stop: Islamabad
After the Kabul talks, Wang Yi will visit Islamabad on August 21. He will co-chair the sixth Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue with Ishaq Dar. Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed the visit, saying the two sides will deepen their “strategic cooperative partnership” and strengthen economic and security cooperation.
The visit comes ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s expected trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. He will also hold bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders.
