The rapidly developing situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over the country last week has led to widespread concern among nations. But even as countries scramble to evacuate their citizens from the war-torn country, the reaction of some countries like "all-weather allies" Pakistan and China has left many worried.
How have China and Pakistan reacted to the Afghan crisis?
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul on August 15, China and Pakistan have stepped up contacts amidst a sense of their delight over a “humiliating defeat” of the US after a 20-year war in Afghanistan despite lingering concerns over the return of the Taliban with all its baggage of the al-Qaeda and the Islamic State terror groups.
Contrary to its oft-stated diplomatic position that it has no favourites in Afghanistan, the Pakistani government is clearly comfortable with the return of the Taliban, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Posted quoted some Pakistani analysts as saying.
Within hours of Kabul’s fall, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said the Afghan people had “broken the shackles of slavery” to the West.
How will it impact Pakistan and China?
Both China and Pakistan are seemingly mulling a joint strategy to push for global recognising Taliban regime in war-torn Afghanistan in a move than is seen to be in their own interests. However, experts feel that the countries can face long term losses if they chose to support the Taliban which might lead to a blowback effect from the US. Experts feel that in such a case, the latter may turn its ire on Beijing and Islamabad to avenge its Afghan imbroglio.
Pakistan has lobbied the international community -- close allies China and Russia in particular -- to garner support for a collective diplomatic engagement with the Taliban as a means of ensuring that the group keeps its promises to form an inclusive administration, prevent terrorist attacks from Afghanistan and allow women access to education and employment, the Post report said.
“Pakistan has the most to gain from peace in its neighbour and the most to lose from strife and instability,” said Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to the UK, the UN and the US.
Pakistan only stands to gain in terms of stability on its western border if the Taliban were able to govern effectively, accommodate other ethnic groups and establish a lasting peace, she said.
(With inputs from Agencies)
