INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
WASHINGTON: China is supplying modern-day weapons to the Taliban in the wake of the current attack by the Islamic State Khorasan Province
(ISKP) on a hotel in Kabul that primarily housed Chinese nationals, writes Zafar Iqbal Yousafzai, author of The Troubled Triangle:
US-Pakistan Relations under the Talibans Shadow in The Jamestown Foundation.The move comes as unstable and unpredictable Afghanistan
threatens Chinese interests and could be a difficulty to the success of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
Chinese sources have actually revealed concern that uncertainty and discontent might lead to Afghanistan becoming a hotbed for terrorists
targeting Chinas Xinjiang and its interests overseas, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, where boosted
interaction and coordination in between China and Pakistan is needed to deal with possible threats, reported Global Times.On December 12,
members of ISKP assaulted a regional hotel in Kabul, where numerous Chinese nationals were staying
The attack injured 5 Chinese nationals in addition to 18 other victims, while the 3 aggressors were eliminated by security forces.It was
reported that Chinese businesspeople run the hotel, which is often checked out by Chinese diplomats and company individuals, reported Global
Times.In response, Peoples Republic of China (PRC) Foreign Ministry representative Wang Wenbin mentioned, China is deeply shocked at the
attack, which is highly outright, and securely opposes terrorism in any type
In response to these challenges, China has actually looked for to supply the Taliban with sufficient assistance to combat all kinds of
terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan, stated Yousafzai.Several elements have just recently driven China to deepen its engagement with and
assistance for the Taliban
When Kabul fell to the Taliban, the world was stunned and worried about the Taliban in power; nevertheless, some countries like Iran,
Russia, China, and Pakistan were among those expecting stability in Afghanistan and asking the international neighborhood to assist the
Taliban support the country.In addition, China saw the United States existence in Afghanistan as a tactical risk to China
As an outcome, the US withdrawal and the return to power of the Taliban, with whom Beijing has close ties, were typically viewed as helpful
geopolitical advancements for China, reported The Jamestown Foundation.China has tactical, political, financial, and security interests in
Afghanistan that it wishes to secure
The presence of any central administration judgment Kabul that is comfortable with China agrees with to the latter.China-Taliban engagement
The Taliban have been frequent visitors to China for several years
Even in the 1990s, Beijing engaged with the Taliban to curb militants infiltration into western China.Afghanistan is necessary to Beijing
tactically and economically as it links China with the Persian Gulf and Iran
Likewise, Afghanistan is a potential route for BRI with substantial natural resources.Hence, China had been pushing the Taliban to take a
clear stance vis-a-vis militancy, i.e., East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM)
Up until now, the Taliban have actually stated unequivocally that they will not interfere in the internal affairs of any country, stated
Yousafzai.China is offering humanitarian aid and concessions to the Taliban federal government; however, numerous developments are still off
the record.One such behind-the-scenes advancement is Chinas provision of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the Taliban, which has
considerably boosted its forces battle abilities, reported The Jamestown Foundation.The first drone was attained through a front business
from China and cost USD 60,000, which engineers customized to bring 4 mortar rounds, reported New Lines Magazine on September 15, 2021
Nevertheless, the drone unit still uses modified industrial drones for surveillance and operations
In order to upgrade its UAV capabilities, the Taliban have actually struck a deal with China to purchase Blowfish attack drones.The Blowfish
reinforces the Talibans combat ability in operations against its challengers, particularly ISKP
It will also put substantial pressure on other resistance motions, including the National Resistance Front in the Panjshir Valley, reported
The Jamestown Foundation.China has economic, political, security and tactical interests in Afghanistan and has actually preserved close
contact with the Taliban over the last decade.Moreover, Beijing wants the Taliban not to allow Afghanistans soil to be used as a base for
operations targeting China.However, Chinas reported shipment of battle drones to the Taliban will substantially impact US-China relations
and the Talibans combat capability to target ISKP and other foes, said Yousafzai
