New York/ Islamabad — The foreign ministers of China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia convened in New York for the fourth Quadripartite Meeting on Afghanistan, stressing regional ownership of the Afghan question and pressing for urgent action on terrorism, humanitarian needs, and economic stability.

Held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the meeting, hosted at the invitation of the Russian Federation, underscored a joint resolve by the four powers to prevent Afghanistan from sliding further into crisis.

Call for Peaceful, Independent Afghanistan

The ministers reaffirmed their collective support for Afghanistan as an “independent, united, and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war, and narcotics.” They emphasized that regional stability hinged on Afghanistan’s integration into regional trade and connectivity frameworks.

“The four sides supported effective regional initiatives aimed at uplifting Afghanistan’s economy and emphasized the importance of continued economic engagement with Afghanistan to alleviate the dire situation of the Afghan people,” the joint statement read.

The participants also pledged to expand economic and trade cooperation, underlining that Afghanistan’s reintegration was critical for long-term peace.

Sanctions and Political Constraints

In a pointed message, the meeting recognized “the importance of appropriate adjustment of the 1988 sanction regime in accordance with the realities on the ground.” It called for avoiding “politicization and double standards” on travel ban exemptions for designated Taliban individuals, a stance echoing regional frustration with Western reluctance to engage pragmatically.

This demand aligns with Islamabad’s repeated position that Afghanistan must not be isolated but engaged, particularly to encourage compliance on security and governance commitments.

Security Concerns

A major focus was the rising threat from terror outfits entrenched in Afghanistan. The statement named groups including ISIL, Al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jaish ul-Adl, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and its Majeed Brigade.

The ministers warned these groups “continue to pose a serious threat to regional and global security,” urging Kabul to take “effective, concrete and verifiable actions” to dismantle safe havens, halt recruitment, and sever terror financing.

For Pakistan, which has borne the brunt of TTP cross-border violence in recent years, the explicit acknowledgment of the TTP and BLA by all four countries is viewed as a diplomatic win, reinforcing Islamabad’s demand that Afghan soil must not be used against its neighbors.

Humanitarian and Refugee Issues

The four sides urged the international community to intensify humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, stressing that aid must be “delinked from any political considerations.”

They also highlighted refugee challenges, acknowledging the “millions of Afghan refugees” hosted by Iran and Pakistan. The ministers urged predictable and sustainable donor support for both repatriation and host countries.

Islamabad, currently hosting over 3.5 million Afghans, has long argued that the global community shares responsibility for easing this burden.

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Drugs, Governance, and Women’s Rights

Commending efforts to reduce opium cultivation, the ministers urged Kabul to take “comprehensive measures” against synthetic drug production, which is on the rise. They called for international support to develop alternative crops and tackle transnational narcotics networks.

The joint statement further pressed the Taliban authorities to move toward inclusive governance. It underlined that “women and girls’ access to education, and economic opportunities, including access to work, participation in public life, freedom of movement, justice and basic services, will contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the country.”

Responsibility of NATO and External Powers

The ministers did not shy away from assigning blame, declaring that “NATO members should bear the primary responsibility for the current plight in Afghanistan.” They demanded the lifting of unilateral sanctions, the return of Afghan overseas assets, and an end to any attempts to establish new military bases in or around Afghanistan.

This reflects a consistent Pakistani and regional stance that Western disengagement, coupled with a hasty withdrawal, exacerbated Afghanistan’s fragility, leaving neighbors to shoulder the consequences.

Support for Regional Diplomacy

The four countries reaffirmed support for multilateral initiatives including the Moscow Format, the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of Afghanistan’s Neighbors, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

They also welcomed the recent Dushanbe meeting of their special envoys earlier this month, committing to sustain quadrilateral consultations as a mechanism to shape outcomes on Afghanistan.

Subtle Realignment

While framed as a joint call for stability, the New York meeting signals a deeper alignment between Beijing, Moscow, Tehran, and Islamabad, four capitals increasingly converging on the need for regional solutions independent of Western dictates.

For Pakistan, the inclusion of TTP and BLA in the statement strengthens its case internationally that terror threats emanating from Afghan soil are not just bilateral irritants but global security risks. The emphasis on refugee support and recognition of Pakistan’s sacrifices also resonates with Islamabad’s longstanding grievances of being left to manage regional instability with limited external support.

As Afghanistan’s crisis drags on, the quadripartite format is emerging as an alternative diplomatic channel, one that seeks to anchor Afghanistan’s future in the region’s collective interests, even as global players remain divided.