The China Factor in Pakistan–Afghanistan Relations: Strategic Counterterrorism Cooperation

Abstract

The dramatic return to power of the Taliban regime in August 2021 significantly changed the security and power dynamics of South Asia. With the change in security and power dynamics, consequently, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan began trilateral negotiations to develop a framework to combat terrorism in this region. Pakistan urged the taliban to work against terrorism and take important and efficient decisions against Tehrike Taliban Pakistan so as to protect Pakistan's territorial integrity nd to stop the use of Afghan land against Pakistan. China is also concerned that its investments in Afghanistan or in Pakistan should not be used against Pakistan, and its economic support should not be used to benefit militant or terrorist organizations. In this paper, we have attempted to analyze and discuss the developments and incidents, including the 2022 ceasefire and 2024 cross-border strikes, as well as China-Pakistan security exercises by using a realist - liberal theoretical network.