ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has cautioned the international community against attempts by external players to fill any ‘security vacuum’ in Afghanistan following the drawdown of US forces.
While addressing the Pak-Afghan-China trilateral dialogue, Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz urged the international community to resist any external attempt to meddle in Afghanistan following the drawdown of foreign forces.
In a veiled reference, the top foreign policy adviser chafed at the growing influence of India in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Pakistan is skeptical that any security vacuum may allow countries hostile to its interests to exploit the situation.
Highlighting Beijing’s role in regional stability, Aziz said China was the only major power that shares border with Afghanistan and has a direct stake in its peace and stability.
“China also has had historically friendly ties with the Afghan people,” he added.
The deepening engagement between China and Afghanistan in the political, economic, security and cultural fields, and China’s contribution to Afghanistan’s “peaceful reconstruction”, are notable developments, he said.
Aziz also pointed out that Pakistan and China have convergent interests and shared goals vis-à-vis Afghanistan. “We both want a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and united Afghanistan,” he said.
He said both Pakistan and China have supported a responsible drawdown of Nato/Isaf forces and a peaceful democratic transition in Afghanistan.
“We believe that a negotiated political reconciliation among all Afghan stakeholders is the best guarantee for sustainable peace,” he asserted.
He further said Pakistan and China have consistently supported an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.
Talking to reporters after the seminar, the adviser said Pakistan would not allow its territory to be used against any other country and expected the same from others. On border tensions with Iran, he expressed hope that the two countries would be able to resolve the issue through dialogue.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2014.
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Sartaz Aziz seems to be talking more about China than about Pakistan. In fact he is even trying to look Chinese himself
"In a veiled reference, the top foreign policy adviser chafed at the growing influence of India in neighbouring Afghanistan."
Looks like he returned from Kabul empty handed. That's why he is trying to control Afghan Foreign Policy by pointing to Indian influence there. Afghans are no longer buying Pakistani statements of peace. The usual gibberish of biometrics & controlling 22K Km Durand Line is not something Afghans or the world at large is going to buy. That is what main stream media in Afghanistan is saying & it is very aggressive. It will be very hard for Ghani & Abdullah to justify visit to Pakistan without practical steps for peace.
This is a very important and intelligent step. Pakistan and China as neighbours have most to gain from a stable Afghanistan that develops a progressive foreign policy.
It is nonsensical if India tries to destabilize Pakistan again through Afghanistan post US withdrawal.
India has to compete with China for economic power. And they are much behind. Their right wing extremist leader will end up creating enemies with a score to settle. As opposed to just enemies with the usual hate speeches.
Pakistan,China and India will need to realize one thing in the long run. Stable region = better economy. Think as Asia.