New Delhi: According to the Biden administration, the United States, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have come to an agreement in principle to create a new quadrilateral diplomatic forum aimed at improving regional connectivity.
According to the State Department, the parties believe that long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan is essential to the regional relationship, and that peace and regional connectivity are mutually supportive.
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It said the parties wish to cooperate to promote trade, build transit links and strengthen business-to-business ties.
According to the State Department, the parties plan to meet in the coming months to define the mechanism of this cooperation by mutual agreement.
For a long time, Afghanistan’s strategic position was perceived as a competitive advantage.
Pakistan to the east and south, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to the north, and China to the northeast, define Afghanistan’s borders.
Afghanistan, which is at the heart of the historic Silk Road, has long served as a crossroads for trade between Asian countries, connecting them with Europe and establishing religious, cultural and commercial links.
The establishment of the new Quad Group is important given China’s intention to expand its Belt Road Initiative (BRI) in Afghanistan.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a multi-billion dollar initiative established after Chinese President Xi Jinping took office in 2013, aims to build a network of land and maritime connections connecting Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa intends to. and Europe.
Afghanistan due to its geographical location can serve as a strategic platform for China to spread its influence around the world.
Since the announcement of the August 31 ultimatum to withdraw US forces, violence has escalated, and efforts to mediate a peace deal between the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents have stalled.
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