India, China, Russia back Afghan stability

Representatives from eleven countries, including India, China, Iran, Pakistan and Russia, reaffirmed their “unwavering support for the establishment of Afghanistan as an independent, united and peaceful state” during the seventh Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan held on Tuesday.

For the first time, an Afghan delegation led by Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mottaqi participated in the meeting as a full member. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the talks brought together special representatives and senior officials from Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with Belarus attending as a guest.

The joint statement emphasised the need to strengthen Afghanistan’s economic and trade ties with regional countries. “The parties noted the need for development of economic and trade exchanges, investment cooperation of Afghanistan with regional countries and the international community,” it said, calling for support in healthcare, agriculture, poverty reduction and disaster prevention.

The participants expressed interest in integrating Afghanistan into regional connectivity initiatives and encouraged steady progress in economic cooperation.

Reiterating their humanitarian commitment, they urged the global community to “intensify provision of emergency humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people,” while warning against any attempt to “politicise” such aid.

Counter-terrorism cooperation was another key focus. The joint statement called for “comprehensive measures aimed at the elimination of terrorism” to ensure Afghan soil was not used to threaten neighbouring countries. “Terrorism constitutes a serious threat to the security of Afghanistan, the region and the wider world,” it said.

The parties also “urged the countries mainly responsible for the current predicament in Afghanistan to earnestly fulfil commitments on the economic recovery and future development of Afghanistan,” in a veiled reference to Western powers. Calling any move to deploy military infrastructure in Afghanistan or neighbouring states “unacceptable,” the statement said such actions “do not serve the interests of regional peace and stability".

The meeting concluded with participants underscoring “the significant role of regional frameworks” in supporting Afghanistan’s path towards peace and sustainable development.