Amidst a changing political landscape, the Taliban, now at the helm in Afghanistan, is showing an inclination towards aligning with China's significant infrastructure venture, the 'Belt and Road' Initiative. This recent development emerges as Haji Nooruddin Azizi, Afghanistan's acting commerce minister, expressed the Taliban administration's desire to become an official part of this vast project.
China, setting itself apart from the global community, has been strengthening its relationship with the Taliban-led government, despite the fact that other nations have yet to acknowledge the administration. A recent testament to this strengthening bond was when Beijing made the unique move of appointing an ambassador to Kabul, while other countries have either retained their existing ambassadors or have not taken any formal steps in recognizing the Taliban government.
Discussing the details, Azizi informed Reuters, "We requested China to allow us to be a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Belt and Road Initiative." He further mentioned that currently, they are engaging in technical dialogues. Notably, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor stands as a prominent part of the Belt and Road Initiative, underscoring the strategic importance of Afghanistan's neighboring nation, Pakistan.
In an effort to ensure clarity on the intricacies of this collaboration, Azizi revealed plans of dispatching a technical team to China. The primary objective of this delegation will be to navigate any potential challenges that may prevent Afghanistan from joining the project.
China could significantly benefit from Afghanistan's abundant mineral reserves, a treasure trove containing coveted resources like lithium, copper, and iron. The country has already made inroads with several Chinese firms, including the Metallurgical Corp. of China Ltd (MCC), operating within Afghanistan's borders. When queried about the engagement with MCC, Azizi highlighted ongoing negotiations, albeit with certain historical considerations. He emphasized the potential of Afghanistan as a promising investment destination, stating, "Afghanistan is now, more than ever, ready for investment."
However, the global investment community is expressing reservations due to security concerns. ISIS, in particular, has been a major threat, targeting foreign entities within Kabul. In response to these concerns, Azizi was adamant about the Taliban's commitment to ensuring security, emphasizing the enhanced safety of previously inaccessible regions. "It is now possible to travel to provinces where there is industry, agriculture, and mines... security can be guaranteed," he assured.
On a broader scale, during the recent Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, Afghanistan, alongside 34 other nations, pledged cooperation in the realms of the digital economy and sustainable development, marking a significant step towards international collaboration.
