By The South Asia Times

Beijing – Top diplomats from China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan convened in Beijing for an informal trilateral meeting on Wednesday, aimed at reaffirming regional cooperation amid rising tensions and growing concerns over geopolitical alignments in South Asia.

The meeting, hosted by China, brought together Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

According to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, the three foreign ministers “reaffirmed trilateral cooperation as a vital platform to promote regional security and economic connectivity.” Discussions focused on enhancing diplomatic engagement, improving communication mechanisms, and advancing practical cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and development.

The gathering comes against the backdrop of public unease in Pakistan following reports of a secret visit by Afghanistan’s Deputy Security Minister Ibrahim Sadr to India during recent Pakistan-India military tensions. The visit has fueled concerns in Islamabad about growing links between the Taliban-led Afghan government and New Delhi, especially at a time when Pakistan accuses India of fomenting instability through proxy networks in the region.

Despite these undercurrents, Wednesday’s talks emphasized economic collaboration and counterterrorism. The three sides agreed to deepen Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation and work towards the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan — a move seen as a potential economic lifeline for the war-torn country and a strategic step for regional connectivity.

“The Ministers underscored their shared commitment to countering terrorism and fostering stability and development in the region,” the Foreign Ministry said.

The meeting also set the stage for a formal sixth round of the Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue, to be held in Kabul at a mutually agreed date.

China has long played a mediating role between Islamabad and Kabul, seeking to ensure the success of its regional investments while promoting security along its western border. Wednesday’s dialogue is viewed as part of Beijing’s broader effort to stabilize its periphery and secure trade routes that are critical to its global infrastructure ambitions.

No direct mention was made during the meeting of the alleged Afghan-India engagement, but observers say Islamabad is likely to raise the issue through diplomatic backchannels.

The trilateral format has historically served as a mechanism to bridge differences and promote shared interests among the three neighboring countries, though underlying tensions continue to pose challenges to deeper cooperation.