Trilateral think tanks conference: China opposes US military presence & bases in Afghanistan, Afghan scholar says 20,000 US troops to remain deployed beyond 2014, Pakistan's role lauded

Date : August 07, 2013

Beijing, August 7:  The first ever trilateral dialogue between think tanks of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan was held in Beijing under the joint auspices of China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) and Pakistan-China Institute (PCI).

This track II dialogue was attended by diplomats, strategists and researchers from China, Afghanistan and Pakistan, including the Ambassadors. The three neighbours sat together on one platform to jointly discuss the prospects of peace, security and stability in the region, in the context of the upcoming withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.

In his opening remarks, Chairman PCI, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, who initiated this Trilateral Conference of think tanks, stated that the time has come for Asian hands to shape Asia's destiny in the 21st Century, adding the decisions regarding the future of the region would no longer be crafted in Washington, London and Brussels but in the region itself.  In any case, the balance of economic and political power was shifting from the West to the East, with the evident loss of clout of the west. He referred to the New Regionalism that was emerging and introduced the concept of a 'Greater South Asia' emerging beyond the sub-continent as an economic entity that now includes countries in the vicinity such as China, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Iran, whose cooperation is woven together through energy, economy, pipelines, road and rail links.

Elaborating the socio-cultural aspects of China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, he added that all three neighbours have stakes in peace and apart from geography; there is a history of shared heritage that brings them together.

Senator Hussain welcomed the proactive role of China on Afghanistan and he said that all neighbours of Afghanistan were committed to protecting the independence, unity and territorial integrity of Afghanistan.

The leader of Afghanistan delegation, Sayed Hamed Gilani, appreciated the historic role of Pakistan during the 1980s of welcoming 5 million Afghan refugees on the soil of Pakistan and he said that these bonds of brotherhood between Pakistan and Afghanistan have become permanent since the two neighbours were determined to forge a future together. He stressed that people of Afghanistan can never forget the open hearted help during the hour of need during Soviet-Afghan war.

Former Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Zhou Gang, who is also member of the Policy Advisory Group, categorically stated “The US should not maintain in Afghanistan its military presence and military bases in the future”. The veteran Chinese diplomat also expressed his concern regarding the future of Afghanistan, and he said “activities of terrorism, extremism and separatism spread abroad threaten the security and stability of Pakistan, Central Asian countries and the Xinjiang, Autonomous Region of China”

The head of Afghan Institute of Strategic Studies, Dr. Davood Muradian announced that the signing of Bilateral Strategic Agreement between the US and Afghanistan was almost complete, and this would provide a legal framework for continued deployment of 20,000 American troops in Afghanistan. He revealed that similar agreements were in the offing with the UK, Germany, Norway and other NATO countries.He also said that in 2014, they would only be a drawdown of NATO forces, not an exit.

Ali SarwarNaqvi, a former ambassador said Pakistan and Afghanistan have shared culture, dreams of development and prosperity, which can be achieved by developing mutual understanding and trust, working together in new era.

Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President of the think-tank, PILDAT, commenting on trilateral relations said people of Pakistan view China as the most trust worthy friend while US has damaged its credibility after Abbottabad incident.

Pakistan’s democratic government has emphasized to have friendly and cooperative relations with all nieghboursincluding India and Afghanistan.He further added that India’s primary focus is on transit trade and views the China Pakistan economic corridor with ' interest.'

Mr. Dong Manyuan, vice president China Institute of International Studies said China will enhance bilateral multidimensional cooperation with Afghanistan as neighbours and good friends. Regarding Pakistan, he also said the international community must acknowledge the sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani people, adding China supports the strategy of Pakistan to combat terrorism.

During the various sessions, issues of influence of India in Afghanistan, reconstruction work in Afghanistan, regional cooperation and investment opportunities in Afghanistan, China Pakistan Economic Corridor, withdrawal of NATO forces in 2014 and its impact on China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, capacity of Afghan Army, role of Taliban in Afghan peace process, also came under discussion.

The closing session ended with positive remarks and tremendous appreciation for the intellectually stimulating input by the participating scholars, diplomats, and researchers on various aspects of trilateral cooperation between Afghanistan, China and Pakistan. There was consensus among the scholars that three neighboring countries should focus on regional peace, stability and development.

All the participants lauded this unique joint endeavour of China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) and Pakistan-China Institute (PCI). It was mutually agreed that Pakistan-China Institute would host the 2nd Trilateral Conference on Afghanistan, China and Pakistan think-tanks in Islamabad in May 2014.