China berates US over Afghanistan; Beijing aims for BRI push
By Manish Anand
New Delhi, April 13: The US fixation with the Ukraine War appears to have given a major diplomatic space on platter to China to further expand its influence and hegemony. China is now aiming to dictate terms in Afghanistan as part of its President Xi Jinping’s aggressive foreign policy backed by deep pocket of dollar reserves.
At the fourth foreign ministers’ meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbours, also called ‘The Tunxi Initiative’, China sought an accelerated foothold in Kabul to tap into the strategic play of the region to its advantage. After formalizing the normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, China is seen working arrangements to tame the rogue Taliban to its advantage to revive the floundering China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure along the Silk Route to make the most of the killings in trade relations with the world.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Thursday presented a four-point proposal in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Qin literally asked the US to own up its responsibility in abandoning Afghanistan to chaos by running away from the rogue Taliban. Qin sought an inclusive government, stating that the modern values be adopted by Kabul where women have their due place as is the case in other Muslim countries.
Separately, India is also taking initiatives on the platform of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to find ways for countering terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. China also stressed in the need to deal with counter terrorism efforts so as to ensure that the neighbouring countries are not affected.
It may be noted that the Chinese nationals have become targets of terror attack in Pakistan in the recent months. Qin’s proposal also called for the US to fulfil its responsibility, including de-freezing the financial assets of Kabul. Some of the voices have blamed the US for extreme hunger crisis in Afghanistan as the Taliban regime is not able to use its financial assets frozen by the US to procure foodgrains for the people battling hunger.
Qin singularly blamed the US as “the initiator of the Afghan problem”, alleging that Washington is yet to reflect on the serious harm caused to the people in the war-ravaged country. “The United States should immediately lift unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan and return Afghanistan’s overseas funds,” Qin demanded.
However, critics have slammed China for making half-baked proposal on Afghanistan. “China’s proposal sidesteps the core issue: the Taliban’s lack of legitimacy. A sustainable solution requires centering Afghan voices and unity. Without them, the Taliban’s rule may crumble swiftly,” tweeted Mariam Solaimankhil, and Afghan activist.
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