China pushes for common stand with Iran on war-torn Afghanistan
Beijing, September 5
A wary China is seeking to strike a common position with Afghanistan’s key neighbour Iran to firm up its growing role in the war-torn country as it waits for the Taliban to form an “open and inclusive” government that makes a “clean break” from all terrorist groups.
Warming up to Beijing
- Iran, which is struggling under the US sanctions over its nuclear policy, has warmed up to China in recent years
- Beijing is steadily expanding its investment in the oil-rich nation that shares its borders with Pakistan
China is already coordinating its evolving policy on Afghanistan with its “all-weather ally” Pakistan and Russia which also share borders with Afghanistan. Beijing, which has kept its Embassy open in Kabul along with those of Pakistan and Russia, is awaiting the formation of a government by the Taliban to decide on recognising it amid firm indications by the US, the UK and other western countries that they were in no hurry to endorse the new government.
China is also keeping a close watch on Panjshir Valley fighting between the Taliban and the militia of Ahmad Massoud-led National Resistance Front. On Saturday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. He hoped that the “the new government will be open and inclusive, make a clean break with terrorist organisations, and establish and develop good relations with other countries, especially neighbouring countries”, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. — PTI
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