China's peace-making role in Afghanistan

By Sajjad Malik
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, June 27, 2017
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Afghanistan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani (R) shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during their meeting in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, on June 24, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]



Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a weekend trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan seeking to ease tensions between the neighbors and push them into joining efforts to create peace in the region.

China, through its silent diplomacy, is already playing a role for peace in Afghanistan; however, this is the first time it has come forward so openly. Wang's visit shows China's enhanced interest to help resolve regional conflicts. And his mission has produced an immediate positive outcome.

According to Pakistan's advisor on foreign affairs, as a result of the Wang-initiated in-depth discussions in Kabul and Islamabad, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China have agreed to establish two important mechanisms.

The first is the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers dialogue to discuss all aspects of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations with special focus on economic cooperation.

Second is a bilateral crisis management mechanism between Afghanistan and Pakistan enabling the two sides to maintain timely and effective communications in case of an emergency, such as a terrorist attack, with a view to seeking an appropriate solution through dialogue and consultation.

The three nations also agreed on the need to revive the Quadrilateral Coordination Group, with the addition of the U.S. It was initially set up towards the end of 2015 to facilitate joint efforts to open the way for peace talks with the Taliban.

However, despite several meetings, it failed to bring the Taliban to talks. Its revival will help to create a conducive environment for talks between the rebels and the Afghan government.

According to a joint statement issued from Islamabad at the end of Wang Yi's trip, the three parties have agreed to support the Kabul peace process. They also believe the Shanghai Cooperation Organization-Afghanistan Contact Group should be revived as early as possible to play a constructive role in the reconciliation process.

It provides another prong to the multilateral efforts to bring peace in Afghanistan. Since Pakistan and India are now also part of the SCO, the contact group seems better equipped to take up the peace mission.

However, Chinese leaders should also take the U.S. into its confidence. The Afghan government is weak and cannot, alone, decide all issues of peace and security. Apart from the U.S., India has also considerable influence over the Kabul rulers. Hence, for any long-term arrangement to succeed, its role cannot be ignored.

It is known that, for durable stability in Afghanistan, it is important to improve its relationship with Pakistan. Due to a lot of mistrust between them, there is space for a third party with credibility and enjoying the trust of both sides to facilitate a dialogue. China enjoys good relations with both Pakistan and Afghanistan and is in a unique position to fill this role.

The visit of Wang Yi has added the economic dimension to the efforts for normalization of ties between the two neighbors. According to the joint statement, the three countries are committed to "enhance regional connectivity and economic cooperation" while promoting shared security.

The desire for economic cooperation and connectivity can unlock a huge reservoir of goodwill needed for trust-building. It can do what geo-strategic considerations failed to achieve. The notion of increasing economic and commercial linkages also fits into the concept of the Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to bring nations together for a shared economic future and win-win cooperation.

Already China is investing huge funds to promote the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) linking land-locked western China to Pakistan's Gwadar deep water port on the Arabian Sea. It can also play the same role for Afghanistan to export and import goods.

In fact, this port through the Afghanistan channel can also provide an opportunity for Central Asian states to become part of the CPEC and connected more easily with the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

The use of economic incentives by China to bring Pakistan and Afghanistan closer may be a good starter, followed by talks on all issues and concerns. There are tremendous opportunities if they make honest efforts for peace and economic progress.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have the potential to jointly defeat militancy and forge closer economic cooperation. Their task has become easier with China standing behind them.

Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

 

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