Editor's note: Azhar Azam works in a private organization as a market and business analyst and writes about geopolitical issues and regional conflicts. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
Peace in Afghanistan will dominate the agenda in the breakthrough summit-level talks next week as Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan makes his maiden trip to the U.S.
The former cricketer-turned-politician has been lauded for his role in facilitating the Afghan peace process by persuading the Taliban to hold direct negotiations with Afghan officials.
It was Islamabad's veiled contributions to peace that for the first time ever, Kabul is firmly taking steps towards peace and stability. Last week, China, Russia and the U.S. also welcomed Pakistan as a fourth party in trilateral consultations on the Afghan peace process, trusting that the Afghan-contiguous country can play a vital role in rekindling peace in Afghanistan.
Progress in the Afghan peace process means a likely improvement in Pakistan-U.S. relations. The two leaders are also expected to discuss a possible ceasefire by the Taliban that would preclude a durable peace in Afghanistan.
However, there is potentially another issue, which could be conferred in the meet – China's influence in Afghanistan.
Along with Moscow and Washington, Beijing is a key deal broker for an "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned" peace process that is acceptable to both the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Members of Afghan security forces inspect the site of a blast near Kabul University in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 19, 2019. /VCG Photo
This, as well as China's unique ability to maintain good relations with the two leading Afghan stakeholders, makes it a gallant partner for the contenders vying for influence.
Days before peace talks with the U.S. and the intra-Afghan dialogue in Doha, a Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar visited Beijing to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
China is coming up with an economic solution to Afghanistan. Through its signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and preferential trade tariffs, Beijing is offering Kabul an opportunity to change its economic and infrastructure downslide.
It has formally invited the Afghan government to join its BRI and through the Afghanistan-China-Pakistan trilateral foreign ministers' dialogue, it is also fostering political reconciliation, development, infrastructure, connectivity, and security cooperation with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
The Taliban's Beijing meeting is a demonstration of shrewd political acumen. They've discerned that in case of their inclusion in the Afghan government, they would essentially need political and economic support from Beijing and Islamabad; so they have not shown any qualms about growing their ties with China.
China, therefore, would assert that the Taliban and Kabul administration need to overcome their disputes before joining its connectivity and infrastructure drive, which they say would help turn Afghanistan from a landlocked country to a land-linked country.
Mulling over the promising China-Pakistan relations and China's recurrent diplomatic and economic support to Pakistan, Prime Minister Khan would not be in a position to deliver anything substantial to the U.S. on China.
Khan is different from his predecessors. He has been a staunch supporter of Beijing's BRI and its economic policies about poverty alleviation and corruption campaign. Khan has also been advocating peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban.
In addition, Khan's belief is that if U.S.-Taliban talks and the intra-Afghan dialogue turns into a long-lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, the turmoil in the country would shift from a military to an economic focus.
Afghan refugee children give smiles as they pose for photograph at an refugee camp in a slum dwelling neighborhood on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, June 19, 2017. /VCG Photo
This would be situation where China's role could be decisive in growing Afghanistan's economy.
Despite friction in Afghanistan-Pakistan bilateral ties, the people of the two countries are bound by historical links. Therefore, peace in Afghanistan is the ultimate priority for Khan.
Islamabad is Kabul's natural choice when it comes to trade cooperation. Should Beijing seek support from Islamabad for economic cooperation with Kabul – the campaigner of smooth and sustainable relations with its neighboring countries would cordially welcome and avert any idea of derailing Chinese peace and economic initiatives in Afghanistan.
He would welcome increased Beijing's participation in Afghan national development because it goes with the interests of Islamabad.
Khan-Trump talks would be more constructive and more consequential if bilateral discussions are limited to peace in Afghanistan and in stitching fractured relations with Pakistan.
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