Kabul hosts a meeting of Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China today

KABUL: The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that a trilateral meeting will take place today in Kabul, featuring Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Wang Yi, and Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan. Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesman of the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement said that the meeting would cover various important topics, including political, economic, and regional cooperation. The participants will discuss mutual interests and extensive future cooperation, said the statement, adding that the high-level Chinese delegation, led by the country’s foreign minister, will also hold bilateral meetings with Afghan officials. Bilateral relations and economic issues based on mutual trust are key topics for these discussions. Experts believe that China is seeking to involve the Taliban in multilateral processes while being cautious about formally recognizing them to avoid giving excessive legitimacy. It has also been emphasized that the Taliban must be accountable for their commitments, including reforms, women’s rights, human rights, and anti-terrorism guarantees. Four years after the Taliban’s return to power, some regional countries are pursuing a policy of engagement with them; however, apart from Russia, no other country has officially recognized the Taliban.