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This lack of red carpet honour for Pakistani deputy PM Ishaq Dar, however, highlights Afghanistan’s calculated downgrade of ties with Islamabad
Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar was received by Afghan deputy foreign minister Naem Wardak in Kabul on August 20. (Image: News18)
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar may have received a “protocol snub” from the Taliban during their trilateral summit with China. He was received by Afghan deputy foreign minister Naem Wardak, while China’s Wang Yi was welcomed with full honours by foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
This lack of red carpet honour for Dar, however, highlights Afghanistan’s calculated downgrade of ties with Islamabad. The Taliban now view China as an indispensable partner for investment, mining, infrastructure, and international legitimacy, especially after Beijing established an embassy in Kabul.
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According to top intelligence sources, this is clear proof that Pakistan’s control over Kabul is over. The era of Pakistan patronising the Taliban has ended, and Islamabad now treats them as just another neighbour, the sources said. By denying red-carpet status to Pakistan, Kabul signals that Islamabad is losing credibility even among Muslim nations, they added.
The sources said since 2021, Islamabad’s influence over the Taliban has diminished with Kabul clearly rejecting being seen as an extension of Pakistan. Recent deportations of Afghan refugees and tensions along the Durand Line have further strained relations, they said. Additionally, the Taliban feel that Islamabad sides with the West on issues related to Kabul and fails to protect it diplomatically, they added.
China, meanwhile, offers cash, projects, and investments like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) whereas Pakistan’s contributions are limited to aid and trade facilitation, the sources said. This contrast demonstrates Afghanistan’s tilt towards China and dissatisfaction with Islamabad, which is hosting Northern Resistance Front leaders against the TTP, they said.
Top diplomats from Pakistan, China and Afghanistan are meeting in Kabul for a trilateral summit aimed at boosting political, regional and economic cooperation.
Afghanistan’s ministry of foreign affairs in a statement said the talks, hosted by Kabul, will include “comprehensive discussions” on a wide range of issues, including political, economic and regional cooperation.
Pakistan’s ministry of foreign affairs said Dar’s discussions at the meeting will focus on expanding trade, improving regional connectivity and strengthening joint efforts against terrorism.
The last round of the dialogue took place in May in Beijing. The latest development comes more than a month after Russia became the first country to formally recognise the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan.
While no country, except from Russian, has offered formal recognition, the Taliban have engaged in high-level talks with many nations and established some diplomatic ties with countries including China and the United Arab Emirates.
About the Author
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
- Location :
Kabul, Afghanistan
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