Taliban to join CPEC

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 28, 2021: In an important turn of events, Pakistan’s envoy to Afghanistan Masoor Ahmad Khan disclosed that Islamabad had discussed Afghanistan joining CPEC.

Earlier this month, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had disclosed that the group "desires" to be part of projects under CPEC.

 

Ever since the fall of Kabul, there have been concerns in the West that Chinese influence in Afghanistan would grow substantially under a Taliban government. Analysts have pointed to Afghanistan's substantial reserves if copper, lithium, and rare earths,

 which would prove alluring to Chinese companies.

 

In an interview with Reuters, Khan said, "Regional connectivity is an important element of our discussion with Afghan leadership and our way forward for our economic interaction with Afghanistan."

 

Khan went on to say, "This important project—China-Pakistan Economic Corridor—provides good opportunities, good potential for providing infrastructure and energy connectivity between Afghanistan and Pakistan... (and) also connecting South Asia to the Central Asian region. I think there has been a deep interest in terms of developing economic connectivity of Afghanistan with Pakistan through CPEC and with other neighboring countries including Iran, China, Central Asian countries."

Khan revealed "discussions had been held with the Taliban-led administration" on the issue of joining CPEC and “other ways” to develop Afghanistan's economy.

CPEC envisages the construction of major infrastructure in Pakistan such as highways, ports, rail links, and power stations to improve connectivity to China to facilitate investment and trade.

CPEC is an integral part of China's Border-Road Initiative (BRI), particularly through the road and rail links to the ports of Gwadar and Karachi, which would facilitate the movement of goods from Xinjiang and other Chinese provinces.

This port link would give Chinese imports and exports a new access point to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, allowing much faster transit time compared with shipments from existing Chinese ports.

By refusing to talk to the Taliban and by insisting on its isolation, the US-led Western nations are in effect pushing the Taliban to fall into the laps of the Chinese, the Russians, and the SCO.