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China’s Belt and Road Initiative vital for expansion of trade and energy: Mansour
Acting Minister of Energy and Water Abdul Latif Mansour says the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project is vital in expanding the scope of trade and energy export between Afghanistan and China.
Speaking at the third meeting of energy ministers of BRI in China on Wednesday, Mansour expressed hope that Afghanistan could join this intercontinental construction project.
He stated Afghanistan has significant untouched natural resources and efforts to coordinate Afghanistan’s energy sector with China can unlock these resources for the benefit of both countries and support regional energy security.
“Afghanistan is a country located along Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East, which creates an important land bridge for regional connectivity. This position makes Afghanistan a key partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as it can facilitate land trade links and energy corridors connecting China to Europe,” Mansour said.
He added that Afghanistan’s constructive partnership is for China’s long-term strategic vision to increase connectivity in Asia, Europe and Africa as a belt and road.
According to him, Afghanistan can play an important role in supporting China’s broad geopolitical and economic goals through cooperation in energy, trade and infrastructure development.
Referring to the energy production capacities in the country, he stated that based on the prepared plans, Afghanistan will provide its energy needs from domestic sources.
Mansour stressed that the opening of the Wakhan Corridor will further expand the relations between Afghanistan and China.
This route connects the northeast of Afghanistan to the Xinjiang region of China and opens a new window for trade and energy cooperation.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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