Kabul Trilateral: Taliban Rejects Crackdown On TTP, Calls It Pakistan's Internal Matter
The Taliban rejected Pakistan's allegations of supporting the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and told China the group is not under its control
In a significant geopolitical development, inside details of the Sixth Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Dialogue in Kabul, held on August 20, 2025, between Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan, have revealed a major divergence between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban over how to handle the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
According to exclusive information accessed by CNN-News18, top Afghan Taliban officials informed China that they cannot take full-fledged action against the TTP. The Taliban conveyed that the group is Pakistan's internal issue and offered to facilitate dialogue between Islamabad and the TTP. They indicated that Pakistan should pursue talks rather than force.
Pakistan Blames Kabul
Top sources said that during the Kabul summit, Pakistan demanded strong action against both the TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and accused the Afghan Taliban of supporting the two groups. While Kabul outright denied any support for the TTP and reiterated that the group was not under their control, they did assure China and Pakistan of action against BLA hideouts and infiltration attempts from Afghan soil.
The BLA emerged as a key focus of concern during the summit, with all three sides, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China, acknowledging it as a common threat, especially to projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). According to top sources, the BLA has been targeting both Pakistani and Chinese civilians as well as infrastructure, whereas the TTP remains largely focused on Pakistan's security forces.
Countermeasures to deal with both terror outfits were reportedly discussed during the summit, with China playing a mediatory role.
China's Economic Push: CPEC, Mining, & Central Asia Access
China, which chaired the meeting, expressed strong interest in improving Pakistan–Afghanistan ties to enable greater economic and security cooperation in the region. Beijing has reportedly proposed joint efforts to expand CPEC into Afghanistan, with smoother access to Central Asia via Kandahar and Kabul.
Chinese officials are also keen to invest in Afghanistan's mineral sector and bring the Taliban formally under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through CPEC, which remains a centrepiece of President Xi Jinping's global strategy.
Beijing also reportedly offered Belt and Road investment to help mend ties between Islamabad and the Taliban-led administration.
Focus On Connectivity, Resources, And Stability
The trilateral discussions featured economic and strategic topics including minerals, mining, trade, transit, regional development, and the extension of CPEC connectivity into Afghanistan. The goal, according to the accessed details, is long-term regional stability and economic growth.
During the discussions, Afghanistan urged both China and Pakistan to support Kabul's 'legitimate position" on international platforms and to enhance cooperation across security, trade, and diplomacy.
Joint Mechanism To Tackle Terror, Promote Connectivity
The three countries agreed to form a joint mechanism for better cooperation, regional connectivity, and coordinated action against terrorism. They also reaffirmed commitments to collaboration in education, health, regional development, combating drug trafficking, and advancing the CPEC project into Afghan territory.
The trilateral was attended by Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. The summit also reinforced Beijing's continued support for the Afghan Taliban government as part of its broader regional engagement strategy under the BRI framework.
About the Author
Manoj Gupta
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
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