The trilateral meeting in Kabul between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China has once again highlighted the central obstacle to regional stability: the persistence of militant sanctuaries across the region. Islamabad pressed Kabul to take verifiable action against the banned TTP and BLA, while Beijing voiced its own concerns over the ETIM terrorist group that threatens its security. Both Pakistan and China made clear that political and commercial engagement with Afghanistan cannot advance unless there is tangible progress on counterterrorism.
Cross-border militancy continues to exact a serious cost on regional security and economic aspirations. The TTP in particular remains a major source of instability, while groups such as the BLA and Majeed Brigade have targeted development initiatives. Without Kabul’s cooperation, Pakistan’s efforts to restore order at home will remain incomplete. For China, curbing the activities of ETIM is essential for its security in Xinjiang and beyond. The Taliban authorities insist that progress has been made in security cooperation, but this has yet to be reflected on the ground.
Prosperity and integration cannot be built on fragile foundations. Stability in Afghanistan is not only a prerequisite for Pakistan’s internal security and China’s regional connectivity projects, but also for creating an arc of cooperation that could counterbalance external pressures. India, which has long sought to exploit militant groups as proxies to destabilise Pakistan and undermine CPEC, will find its designs blunted if Kabul, Islamabad and Beijing present a united front.
The dividends of such an alliance are considerable. Trade corridors linking Central Asia with South Asia through Afghanistan could transform the region’s economic prospects. Ultimately, regional peace is a shared responsibility. Intelligence cooperation, information exchange and joint use of resources will be essential to counter both internal and cross-border threats.
