Pakistan-taliban meeting on CPEC: During the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, China is now working on a policy of strategic siege. A clear example of this emerged recently when special messengers from Pakistan and China visited Afghanistan and interacted with the Taliban government under the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative).

At the behest of China, Pakistan appointed Muhammad Sadiq Khan, a special messenger for Afghanistan. He recently visited Kabul and met Afghan leaders with Chinese Special Representative U Shiayong. During this, there was a direct conversation with Taliban Home Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and External Affairs Minister Aamir Khan Mottaki. In the meeting, important issues like Afghanistan’s participation in BRI, CPEC expansion, economic cooperation and security partnership were agreed.

Strategic, military and economic agenda clean
The meeting was a link to the fifth trilateral dialogue between the three countries and its purpose was to strengthen the preparations for the upcoming sixth round, trade and strengthen the security system. In the meeting, Taliban Home Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani said that it is Afghanistan’s priority to carry forward regional relations and to create creative support with mutual respect.

CPEC expands to Afghanistan
CPEC, which has already been a geopolitical challenge for India, passes through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Now it is moving towards expansion till Afghanistan. Pak envoy Muhammad Sadiq confirmed that the three countries had agreed to expand CPEC to Afghanistan. For this, new opportunities for commercial cooperation and investment are being discovered. Safety cooperation is moving towards converting cooperation into strategic partnership.

What does it mean to India?
The expansion of CPEC to Afghanistan can be considered an attempt to isolate India more diplomatically on the western border. The Taliban’s close policy to China and Pakistan can weaken its historical-cultural relations with India. Meetings with extremist leadership like Sirajuddin Haqqani increase the apprehension that projects like CPEC can also become a cover for terrorist networks. Establishing BRI in Afghanistan will give China a direct way to the natural resources of Central Asia, where India’s presence is limited.