China, Pakistan To Hold Trilateral Talks With Taliban In Kabul

Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, met with Yue Xiaoyong, China’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, during his visit to Kabul this week.

Meanwhile, sources have confirmed that a trilateral meeting involving Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China is scheduled to take place in Kabul on Saturday.

The Pakistani envoy arrived in Kabul on Friday and held his first official meeting with the Chinese envoy. Although no detailed statement was released, Sadiq shared a photograph of the meeting on social media.

Reliable sources have told Afghanistan International that the “Kabul Trilateral Meeting between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China” will convene on Saturday, with participation from representatives of the Chinese and Pakistani governments as well as Taliban officials.

The agenda is expected to focus on key regional issues, including trade, diplomatic cooperation, and security concerns.

While no official statements have yet been issued by any of the three parties, Kabul, Islamabad, or Beijing, Sadiq’s arrival and his engagement with the Chinese envoy are widely seen as preparatory steps ahead of the talks.

Neither China nor Pakistan has formally recognised the Taliban government. However, their respective approaches towards the de facto authorities in Kabul have notably diverged.

Over the past four years, China has maintained relatively stable and pragmatic ties with the Taliban. Beijing has accepted the Taliban’s appointed ambassador and continues to engage with the regime through an active diplomatic presence.

Pakistan, once expected to be one of the Taliban’s closest allies following their return to power, has experienced strained relations with the group. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban of harbouring and supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) an allegation consistently denied by Taliban officials.