China and Russia made their presence felt in Kabul Thursday, signalling they’d not forgotten Afghanistan regardless of their very own preoccupations, and expressed solidarity with the Taliban regime a day after it drew international condemnation for turning away women from excessive colleges.
Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi made a shock stopover in Kabul earlier than he confirmed up in Delhi within the night. He is the very best rating Chinese official to go to Kabul after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan final August.
A big Russian delegation led by Zamir Kabulov, Special Representative for Afghanistan, additionally met Taliban officers to debate financial cooperation.
Wang, who arrived in Kabul from Islamabad after attending the convention of OIC Foreign Ministers, met Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
China is internet hosting a gathering of Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbours later this month. This would be the third assembly of the ministers, however the first through which Afghanistan is scheduled to take part. The first assembly was held in Pakistan final September, and the second in Iran in November.
According to Xinhua and Global Times, Wang informed Baradar that China welcomes “Afghanistan’s active participation in the joint construction of the Belt and Road, and stands ready to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan, replicate more successful experiences, and make Afghanistan, with the geographical strength as the ‘Heart of Asia’, a bridge for regional connectivity”.
He stated he hopes Afghanistan will “firmly and resolutely” fulfill its “commitment of not allowing any external forces to use Afghan territory to oppose its neighbouring countries or harm the security of other countries”.
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He informed Baradar that China is “the only major country that has not hurt Afghanistan”. China’s coverage on the Afghan challenge, he stated, relies on “three respects” and “three nevers.”
“China respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, respects the independent choice made by the Afghan people, and respects Afghanistan’s religious beliefs and customs. China never interferes in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, never seeks any self-interest in Afghanistan, and never seeks the so-called sphere of influence.”
According to Xinhua, he additionally expressed the hope that Afghanistan “will continue to establish an inclusive political structure, implement prudent policies, better safeguard the rights and interests of women and children, and demonstrate the tolerance and friendliness of Muslims”.
Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balki, in a press release, stated Muttaqi and Wang mentioned “political, economic & transit issues, air corridor, dried fruit export, educational scholarships, visa issuance, commencing work in the mines sector, Afghanistan’s role in BRI & other matters of significance”.
Muttaqi referred to as Wang’s go to a “positive message to the Afghans and the world”.
“Minister Muttaqi added that the security brought about by the new (government) lays the foundation for foreign investment, including for China, in Afghanistan that ensures their interest besides cooperating with Afghans in economic growth & stability with the full support of the new gov,” Balkhi stated in a Twitter publish.
Russian envoy Kabulov additionally met Baradar, and reassured the Taliban that “the arrival of this comprehensive delegation to Afghanistan shows that Russia is committed to taking practical steps after determining the priorities of the Islamic Emirate,” in accordance with a press release on Twitter by Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Kabulov, whose delegation included officers from the Russian ministries of Defence, Interior, Economy, Industry, Agriculture and Energy, stated his authorities was able to signal various agreements with the Taliban. Baradar invited Russia to put money into all sectors.
The Russian envoy additionally met Muttaqi. According to the Foreign Ministry spokesman, the 2 “focused on strengthening political, economic, transit and regional relations”.
The Afghan assertion stated Kabulov referred to as the insurance policies of the Islamic Emirate “balanced and in the interest of the region and the world, and expressed satisfaction” with its achievements.