CPEC Extension To Afghanistan Agreed Upon In Trilateral Meeting With China And Pakistan, Despite India's Opposition

China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, the News18 reported. 

The decision was made during an informal trilateral meeting held in Beijing on Wednesday (21 May), according to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO).

The meeting 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.

“Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan stand together for regional peace, stability, and development," Dar said in a post on X, sharing a photo with his Chinese and Afghan counterparts.

The FO said the three ministers reaffirmed trilateral cooperation as an important platform to advance regional security and economic integration. 

“They discussed enhancing diplomatic engagement, strengthening communications, and taking practical steps to boost trade, infrastructure, and development as key drivers of shared prosperity," the FO statement said.

“They agreed to deepen Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation and extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan," the Pakistani FO was quoted as saying by News18.

India has long opposed the CPEC project, as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). This meeting also marked the first high-level diplomatic engagement for Pakistan since India launched Operation Sindoor.

During his three-day visit to China, Dar also held bilateral meetings. Upon concluding the trip, the FO posted on X that Beijing and Islamabad “reaffirmed their iron-clad friendship and advanced their shared vision for international and regional peace and development."

The ministers also emphasised a shared commitment to combat terrorism and promote regional stability. The FO informed that the sixth Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held in Kabul at a mutually convenient date.