Compromises and Cooperation in Afghanistan’s Resettlement

Just after, the Soviet Union’s disintegration, US owned unipolarity over the world. Then, US engage itself in Asian conflicts. During the same era, China emerged in the region and now China is second largest economy of the world and Global energy leader. The theme behind such development may be perceived from “War is bad for business”. US perceived China’s rise as impediment to its leaderships of unipolar world. In addition, Russian intervention in Syria was a blatant evidence to engage US in war instead of trade-war. For the reasons, US step back.

Washington launched peace process is the need of time and Afghanistan’s resettlement is the apex necessity for the region. Luckily, US, Taliban, and key regional players Pakistan, Afghani government, China, Saudi-Arabia and UAE looks on the same page. What they want, is peace reconciliation and resettlement. However, it is hard to decide, tracing a time frame for ending the process. Time does not matter. Cooperation and compromises are of utmost concerns and hence stakeholders’ future strategy for the region is crucial.

One of the main challenges to Afghanistan’s reconciliation is Taliban’s refusal of Afghani government involvement in the peace proceedings. So, the best option is, a home assignment between Taliban and government should be emboldened first. The next challenge whether Afghan government will be in the government setup or not, is of vivid concern and require more attention at this stage.

Pakistan as always, consider that peace in Afghanistan is key to workable politics in Asia. China, Pakistan’s geostrategic partner too have the same stance as Pakistan. However, India also should play its positive role in negotiation. The current egression of crisis between Pakistan and India may negate either role in Afghanistan issue. However, India requires to revive its foreign policy about Kashmir and Afghanistan, so that on one side it would work on China design of progress and on other side may improve diplomatic, social and economic relations with Kabul, which is only possible, when Afghanistan is politically stable.

Russia has also interest in afghan peace. Last year, during a meeting, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow discussed that “Russia is upbeat about enhancing defence ties with Pakistan to new heights. They share our views on Afghanistan. The possible Taliban talks with the Afghan government and the previously held Taliban talks with the United States also came under discussions”.

Similarly, Pakistan and China repeated their support to US-led and Afghan-owned peace process in Afghanistan. During a meeting between Foreign Minister Qureshi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing, the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and regional matters including the situation in Afghanistan. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Plausibly, Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia and Russia had made an alliance in bringing stability to Afghanistan for its own strategic interests.

Irfan Khan
Irfan Khan
Researcher at Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan and Islamabad based Columnist having interests in Asian Politics, Human rights, Muslims and Jewish theology.