Usama Zahid
Bureau Chief South East Asia
Scandinavian News Agency
Finland
New York In a rare show of unity, the foreign ministers of Russia, China, Pakistan, and Iran have issued a joint declaration strongly opposing the establishment of any new foreign military bases in or around Afghanistan.
The statement came after their Quadripartite Meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Key Points from the Declaration:
- Direct Rebuke: The four nations said they “firmly opposed” the re-establishment of foreign military bases by countries they hold responsible for Afghanistan’s current turmoil.
- Trump Proposal: The statement is widely viewed as a direct response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about reclaiming Bagram Air Base.
- Respect for Sovereignty: The group underscored that Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity must be respected at all costs.
- Counterterrorism Demands: Kabul was urged to take “concrete and verifiable steps” against all terrorist groups, including TTP and ISIL, and to prevent Afghan soil from being used against neighboring countries.
- Humanitarian Relief: The countries called for the lifting of unilateral sanctions and the release of Afghanistan’s frozen assets to stabilize its economy.
The declaration signals a coordinated regional pushback against Western influence and military presence in Afghanistan.
Related: Read more on Afghanistan’s regional geopolitics
About The Author
