The recent trilateral engagement between Pakistan, China, and the Afghan Taliban in Kabul marks another attempt to address long-standing regional concerns of security and economic integration. While the world continues to grapple with how to deal with the Taliban-led government, regional players such as Pakistan and China are choosing pragmatism over isolation. These diplomatic overtures, though delicate, underscore a critical understanding: peace, stability, and prosperity in the region cannot be realized without engaging Afghanistan.

During the high-level meetings held under the trilateral dialogue mechanism, the special envoys of Pakistan and China met with key Afghan Taliban ministers — including those of interior, foreign affairs, and commerce — to reiterate shared concerns. The presence of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Afghan Interior Minister, and his calls for “mutual respect and constructive engagement,” reflect the Taliban’s increasing desire to exit diplomatic isolation. However, diplomatic rhetoric must now translate into decisive action.

Security remains the primary concern for both Islamabad and Beijing. Militant outfits such as the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), believed to be operating from Afghan soil, pose serious threats to both neighbours. The continuation of these threats undermines not only bilateral ties but also the broader vision of regional connectivity, trade corridors, and economic cooperation. For China, which views Afghanistan as a potential link in its Belt and Road Initiative, and for Pakistan, which shares a long and porous border with Afghanistan, eliminating terrorist sanctuaries is paramount.

The Taliban administration must understand that aspirations for regional trade, investment, and economic revival cannot coexist with indifference toward militant actors operating within its borders. Words of reassurance are not enough; verifiable and transparent actions are required to dismantle these networks and build confidence among regional stakeholders.

The upcoming sixth round of the Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue, scheduled to take place in Kabul, will be a litmus test for the Taliban. Concrete steps addressing Pakistan and China’s security concerns must precede the meeting to ensure tangible outcomes. Likewise, Pakistan must also respond constructively to legitimate Afghan concerns to foster mutual trust.

Afghanistan sits at the crossroads of Central and South Asia — a position that could transform it into a hub of trade and connectivity. But to unlock this potential, the Taliban must abandon policies of ambiguity and take decisive steps toward regional cooperation. The path to Afghanistan’s diplomatic acceptance and economic reintegration lies in its ability to contribute positively to regional peace and development. Only then can trilateral talks evolve from dialogue to deliverables.