China asks Pak to improve ties with Afghanistan

Wednesday 28th June 2017 06:34 EDT
 
 

China has asked Pakistan to control terrorists in Afghanistan. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi travelled between Kabul and Islamabad in an attempt to mend fences between the two warring neighbours. Wang Yi said, “China sincerely wishes for Afghanistan and Pakistan to improve relations, rebuild mutual trust, strengthen cooperation, achieve mutual safety and mutual development.”

“As Afghanistan and Pakistan's mutual friend, China encourages them to establish a crisis prevention and management mechanism as soon as possible, to properly deal with any kind of sudden occurance. With a string of horrific terror attacks in Afghanistan this summer, many of which have been traced back to the Taliban and Haqqani network, both supported by Pakistan, the resultant instability and bad blood between Pakistan and Afghanistan could prove a growing challenge to China's foreign policy in the region, particularly with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) running through Pakistan's unstable regions.

According to Afghan media reports, Wang Yi reportedly told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that he would urge Pakistan to “control the Taliban and the Haqqani Network so they do not launch attacks on civilians. Pakistan has influence on the Taliban and would ask the country to use its influence on the Taliban,” a statement from Ghani's office quoted the Chinese FM as saying in a meeting at the presidential palace.

“Pakistan has showed willingness in this regard and we would call for practical steps,” Wang said. If Wang Yi had strictures to deliver in Pakistan, the official readout did not have them. Instead, the statements focused on the importance of CPEC, China's flagship foreign policy project.

As the Trump administration appears to be taking a harder line against Pak-sponsored terrorism, China's official support counts for a lot inside Pakistan. India would have nothing to complain if China can get Pakistan and Afghanistan to be on the same page. New Delhi would be wary about two things - Chinese efforts to bring Pakistan and Afghanistan together painting India as the villain of the piece in Afghanistan and prevailing on Pakistan to ease up on the Afghan border while continuing its terror tactics against India.


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