Kabul, Islamabad to upgrade diplomatic ties

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): In a major development, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed in principle to upgrade their diplomatic relations by exchanging ambassadors.

The agreement came at an informal trilateral meeting of foreign ministers from Afghanistan, Pakistan and China in Beijing, Dawn reported on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, Wednesday’s talks were part of Beijing’s broader initiative to defuse regional tensions and promote connectivity via its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.

It quoted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as saying in a statement: “Afghanistan and Pakistan expressed clear willingness to elevate diplomatic relations and agreed in principle to exchange ambassadors as soon as possible.”

In the statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Yi said: “China welcomes this and will continue to provide assistance for the improvement of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.”

Additionally, the foreign ministers also reached an agreement on extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan.

Yi underlined Chinese and Pakistani support for Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development. He also noted readiness to expand trade exchanges with Afghanistan.

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