Pakistan Gains Afghan Support Amid Indo-Pak Standoff

Kabul/Islamabad May 12, 2025–As tensions rise between India and Pakistan, Islamabad secures a diplomatic win on its western border. Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq Khan, gained Kabul’s assurance of stability during trilateral talks with China and Afghanistan held in Kabul this weekend.

Kabul Pledges Border Stability

Afghanistan’s Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, assured Pakistan that peace will prevail along the shared border. This assurance comes at a critical time when Pakistan is focused on developments with India.

Haqqani emphasized mutual respect and regional understanding. “Stability grows through trust and open dialogue among neighbors,” he stated.

China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan Discuss Economic Ties

The trilateral dialogue also prioritized economic integration. The three countries discussed extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan.

Pakistani and Chinese envoys met separately with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi. These meetings focused on regional trade, counter-terrorism, and infrastructure.

“We held positive talks on expanding CPEC into Afghan territory,” Sadiq Khan told The Express Tribune. He added that these discussions were built on the fifth trilateral meeting held in Islamabad in May 2023.

During talks with Foreign Minister Muttaqi, Afghan officials reaffirmed their support for Pakistan amid its current tensions with India. Kabul also showed interest in deeper trade and political engagement with both China and Pakistan.

Commerce discussions centered on improving transport routes and aligning Afghan projects with regional initiatives.

The sixth foreign minister-level trilateral talks are expected soon in Kabul. Analysts believe this growing cooperation reflects shared economic goals and a desire for regional peace.

With Afghanistan on board, Pakistan can now focus more confidently on managing its eastern border.This strategic shift enables Pakistan to better balance its security priorities, ensuring that it can allocate the necessary focus and diplomatic energy to safeguarding its eastern flank while maintaining a stable relationship with its western neighbour.