Post by : Meena Ariff

In a rare display of united opposition, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran jointly stressed the importance of respecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty following remarks by former US President Donald Trump regarding the Bagram airbase.

Diplomatic Meeting at UNGA

Yue Xiaoyong, China’s foreign ministry special envoy for Afghanistan, met informally with delegations from Russia, Pakistan, and Iran on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.

A joint statement issued after the meeting highlighted the four countries’ firm opposition to the establishment of foreign military bases in Afghanistan and emphasized respect for the nation’s independence and territorial integrity.

“As a neighbour of Afghanistan and a responsible country, China is willing to continue to work with the international community to provide assistance to Afghanistan and play a constructive role in Afghanistan’s peaceful reconstruction,” said Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry.

Trump’s Proposal to Reclaim Bagram

Trump recently stated that the US should “take back” the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, citing its strategic location near China’s nuclear facilities. The Soviet-built base is situated approximately 70 km north of Kabul and less than 800 km from China’s Xinjiang Uygur region, which hosts key nuclear installations, including the Lop Nur testing and missile base.

The former US president criticized the Biden administration for the 2021 withdrawal, calling the decision a major setback to American influence in the region. Trump described Bagram as “one of the most powerful bases in the world in terms of runway strength and length,” capable of accommodating any aircraft.

Regional Implications and Nuclear Concerns

Analysts view Trump’s proposal as an attempt to counter China’s growing nuclear and missile capabilities by positioning the US closer to Beijing’s key military infrastructure. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, China added 100 nuclear warheads in 2023, bringing its total to 600. While smaller than US and Russian stockpiles, China’s nuclear arsenal is considered the fastest-growing in the world, with projections of over 1,000 operational warheads by 2030.

Beijing responded by asserting that Afghanistan’s future should “rest in the hands of the Afghan people” and opposed “stirring up tension and confrontation” in the region.

Afghan Response

Kabul also rejected the proposal. Afghan foreign ministry official Zakir Jalal emphasized the need for engagement between Afghanistan and the US, while expressing openness to economic and political cooperation based on mutual respect and shared interests.