Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia united to oppose the creation of military bases in and around Afghanistan. They demanded that all nations respect Kabul’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to a statement released on Saturday. This move comes as US President Donald Trump seeks to keep troops in the conflict-hit country.
The joint stance emerged during the Fourth Quadripartite Meeting of Foreign Ministers on Thursday in New York, alongside the 80th UN General Assembly, the Pakistan Foreign Office said.
Key Points From the Statement
The four nations said that Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity must be respected. They firmly opposed any attempt to set up military bases by countries responsible for the current crisis. Such actions undermine regional peace and security.
These four nations also said that NATO members bear primary responsibility for Afghanistan’s challenges. They urged these countries to support Afghanistan’s economic recovery and development.
The four powers reaffirmed their support for an independent, united, and peaceful Afghanistan, free from terrorism, war, and narcotics. They encouraged regional efforts to strengthen Afghanistan’s economy.
Concerns Over Terrorism
The statement warned that groups like ISIL, Al-Qaida, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and Majeed Brigade continue to threaten regional and global security.
They stressed that peace, stability, and countering terrorism, radicalism, and drug crime are shared regional interests. Therefore, they urged Afghanistan to dismantle terrorist groups, stop recruitment and funding, cut access to weapons, and remove training camps and infrastructure.
The four countries also called for stronger bilateral and multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation.
Refugees and Governance
The nations asked Afghanistan to help refugees return home, prevent further migration, and ensure returnees can rebuild their livelihoods and social life. They urged the international community to provide financial and logistical support for safe and timely repatriation.
The four nations emphasized the need for an inclusive government that represents all Afghan communities. They highlighted the importance of women and girls’ rights, including access to education, work, public participation, freedom of movement, justice, and basic services, as essential for peace, stability, and prosperity.
Support for Diplomatic Solutions
The four nations expressed support for diplomatic efforts to reach a political settlement in Afghanistan. They backed the UN and regional frameworks such as the Moscow Format, the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of Afghanistan’s Neighbouring Countries, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). They stressed that these platforms can play a positive role in achieving lasting peace.