Tripartite consensus

A successful tripartite huddle has reassured respect to each other's territorial integrity and the resolve to work for economic amalgamation. Envoys of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, who met in Kabul, took a leap forward as they reiterated the need for perpetual peace in the region, as well as mutual respect and constructive engagement to strengthen the three-way political and economic cooperation.

This understanding is epoch-making as it has come days after a showdown between India and Pakistan, wherein Delhi did all it can to further its hegemonic designs by launching an aggression over Pakistan which resulted in an humiliating retreat for it not only on the military front, but also diplomatically. Thus, this rejuvenated good sense to uphold regional serenity and, especially, the realisation from the Taliban rulers for a peaceful western border with Pakistan is a strategic breakthrough.

Pakistan's biggest security issue has been to be at peace on both its eastern and western flanks with India and Afghanistan, respectively. While India had long a sworn enemy with a lingering dispute over Kashmir, the revulsion that knocked on its western frontiers in the form of cross-border terrorist incursions and a new low in interstate relations had been a setback. Moreover, Delhi's designs to make use of Kabul as a proxy for destabilising Pakistan has wrecked regional stability and led to mushrooming of terror outfits and their abettors across the country.

This is why perhaps India tried to involve Afghanistan too by flying misguided sorties on the latter's territory during the brawl last week to broaden the canvas of conflict. While Kabul and Beijing too were not receptive while dealing with evolving upheavals, the trilateral moot is a blessing in disguise for charting a roadmap of congeniality. The need of the hour for Kabul is to work closely with Islamabad to promote regional connectivity by exterminating the terror nexus. That would be a win-win situation for its opening up to China and Central Asia, ensuring Pakistan the desired cushion of tranquility on its western horizons as it takes on India.