Credited from: TRTGLOBAL
China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan have come together in opposition to the potential reestablishment of U.S. military bases in Afghanistan. This unified stance emerged following remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, who requested the Taliban administration to return control of the Bagram Air Base to the Pentagon. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has stated that this opposition reinforces respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which was emphasized during an informal meeting held on Thursday at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, according to trtglobal, scmp, and aa.
During a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reiterated that the joint statement from the four nations emphasized their "firm opposition to the establishment of military bases in Afghanistan and the region" by countries deemed responsible for the current situation in the country. The meeting featured key diplomatic figures, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, showcasing united support for Afghanistan's sovereignty, according to trtglobal, scmp, and aa.
The Taliban, which regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021 after the withdrawal of U.S. forces, has rejected Trump's assertions regarding the airbase. Afghan officials have insisted on negotiating terms based on the Doha Agreement and maintaining their territorial integrity. Trump has warned that "bad things" would happen if the Taliban does not return control of Bagram Air Base to the U.S. military, showcasing the tensions between the U.S. and the Afghan administration, as reported by trtglobal, scmp, and aa.