China's strategic involvement in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations

Policy Briefs

27 May, 2024

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China's strategic involvement in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations

On May 11th of this year, new skirmishes resumed along the Durand Line. It is evident that following the parliamentary elections, the Pakistani leadership decided to concentrate on the issue of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a terrorist organization that receives support from within Afghanistan and carries out attacks on Pakistani soil. In an effort to put an end to TTP activities, Islamabad has been conducting airstrikes in Afghan border areas without notifying Kabul, which has enraged the Taliban. These border conflicts continued until May 19th, but it is likely that such incidents will persist and tensions along the Durand Line will escalate. Nonetheless, the involvement of China may potentially mitigate the conflict and the ensuing crisis. According to experts, China has its own levers to influence the TTP through the Taliban.

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