by Nimra Malik
China is working to protect its economic and security interests while seeking greater stability in South Asia. Led by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Beijing has begun a regional tour that includes talks with India and Pakistan and efforts in Afghanistan. Projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and regional security partnerships show China’s efforts to manage its relationships with India, strengthen its role in Pakistan, and support stability in Afghanistan. These moves could affect cooperation, competition, and the balance of power in South Asia.
These diplomatic efforts show Beijing’s aim to reshape South Asia’s balance of power and reinforce its regional leadership. Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visits to India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan aimed to expand China’s influence and signal evolving regional partnerships. This article examines how China’s trilateral strategy may position it as a key power broker, with implications for regional stability and the interests of the United States and India.
Wang Yi visited South Asia at a time of major change in the region. Afghanistan is still unstable under Taliban rule, and Pakistan is dealing with political and economic problems. India is rethinking its strategy as it grows closer to the United States. Against this backdrop, China is using diplomacy to present itself as a stabilizing force and economic partner. China’s Foreign Ministry reported that Wang Yi emphasized ‘China respects Afghanistan’s sovereignty and will support the Afghan people in independently choosing their own development path.’ This statement shows China wants to appear non-interventionist while still pursuing its security and economic goals.
Key Trilateral Dialogue: Achievements
In Islamabad, Wang Yi co-chaired the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue, which had not taken place in years. Restarting these talks led to three main results. The first outcome was renewed security commitments to counter terrorism. China has consistently expressed concern about the potential spillover of militancy from Afghanistan into its Xinjiang region. Wang Yi articulated this position, stating,
‘China opposes any external interference in Afghanistan and will not allow Afghanistan to become a haven for terrorism .’
This shows that China’s main goal is to work with Kabul and Islamabad on counterterrorism. The second result is a plan to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor into Afghanistan, offering economic benefits to the Taliban and bringing Afghanistan further into China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This move would bind Afghanistan into China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) architecture, granting Beijing unprecedented leverage over Kabul. Thirdly, Political Engagement with the Taliban by meeting Taliban leaders in Kabul, China conveyed an important message while the West isolates Afghanistan, Beijing sees an opportunity to fill the vacuum. While positioning China as a facilitator rather than a hegemon Wang Yi asserted,
‘China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan’
Implications for Regional Stability
The implications of these engagements are profound. On one hand, China’s proactive diplomacy could contribute to stability by fostering economic projects and security assurances in Afghanistan. On the other, it risks cementing new fault lines.
For Afghanistan, this trilateral approach offers economic hope but raises concerns about overdependence on China a scenario reminiscent of Beijing’s debt diplomacy elsewhere.
For Pakistan, the visit represents crucial support For Pakistan, the visit provides important support during tough economic times and tense relations with the United States. But getting closer to China could push Pakistan further away from Washington and make its strategy more complicated. Wang Yi’s trip to New Delhi also mattered. Even though India and China still disagree after the Galwan clashes, they talked about working together in BRICS and managing their differences. India is still wary of China’s stronger ties with Islamabad and Kabul, seeing them as attempts to surround India. have valid concerns. For Washington, China’s growing influence in Afghanistan is a setback after years of Should the U.S. and India Be Concerned? Both the United States and India have valid concerns. For Washington, China’s growing influence in Afghanistan is a setback after years of U.S. engagement, as Beijing assumes a leading role without the costs of military involvement. For New Delhi, the extension of CPEC through Gilgit-Baltistan, a territory it claims, and closer China-Pakistan cooperation with Kabul may reduce India’s regional influence. These developments could mark the beginning of a new era of strategic competition in South Asia, centered on economic and security initiatives rather than military conflict, and a spendable regional partner. Whether this approach fosters stability or intensifies competition will depend on the responses of the United States and India. As Wang Yi stated, China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan should build bridges of friendship rather than walls of mistrust.
Conclusion
Wang Yi’s trip to South Asia is a clear part of China’s larger plan to become the main power broker in the region. Restarting the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral talks shows China’s commitment to security and economic cooperation, and its desire to shape regional dynamics. This approach is pushing other South Asian countries and outside players to rethink their own strategies.
For this effort to success, it needs to be open and include everyone. China should help Afghanistan and Pakistan without appearing to only serve its own interests. Ignoring humanitarian or economic needs, or leaving out India, could make the talks seem biased and increase mistrust. Real progress will need everyone involved. The United States and India need to respond carefully. A stable Afghanistan is in their interest, but how they engage will matter. Working together on security and economic issues makes sense if they keep a close eye on their strategic interests.
Wang Yi’s visit has given China a chance to shape South Asia’s future to fit its own goals. Whether this leads to more cooperation or more division will depend on how other countries react. In the end, the key question is whose vision will guide South Asia’s future.
