In a significant diplomatic development on Tuesday, Pakistan, together with China, Russia, and Iran, reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. The reaffirmation came during a quadrilateral meeting convened in Moscow, where the participating nations also expressed deep concern over the ongoing presence of terrorist groups within Afghan territory.
This high-level meeting forms part of the broader Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, which has gained increasing prominence as a platform for regional cooperation and dialogue.
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of the seventh iteration of the Moscow Format Consultations, a multilateral initiative designed to address pressing political, security, and humanitarian issues in Afghanistan. The format has consistently brought together countries from across the region, including India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and other key stakeholders, to discuss collaborative strategies for promoting peace and security.
According to official statements, representatives from these nations will join today’s sessions to deliberate on Afghanistan’s stability and the wider regional implications of its internal security challenges.
Pakistan’s special envoy to Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq Khan, who is currently present in Moscow, provided detailed insights into the discussions through his social media updates. According to Khan, the four participating nations emphasized their collective commitment to a sovereign, stable, and peaceful Afghanistan, highlighting the critical importance of a nation free from terrorism and external interference. The participants underscored that Afghanistan’s security and development remain central to the regional stability of Central and South Asia, and that ensuring a unified approach is vital to counter threats emanating from extremist groups.
The quadrilateral session also focused extensively on the threat posed by terrorist organizations operating within Afghan territory. The countries collectively agreed on the need for enhanced coordination and practical measures to combat these groups, including intelligence sharing, cross-border monitoring, and strategic cooperation to prevent the spread of extremist influence.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the participating nations to pursue a multilateral approach to counterterrorism, with a focus on actionable and verifiable outcomes.
In addition to the quadrilateral meeting, Khan held separate discussions with his counterparts from China and Iran to further strengthen regional security mechanisms and counterterrorism collaboration. During his engagement with Iran’s Foreign Ministry representative Muhammad Reza Bahrami, Khan highlighted the importance of sustained dialogue and cooperation to address shared security and humanitarian concerns. Both sides acknowledged that coordinated action is crucial to address terrorism, facilitate humanitarian assistance, and ensure the protection of vulnerable populations across Afghanistan.
The discussions also reflected the mutual understanding that regional stability depends heavily on proactive collaboration and open channels of communication between neighboring states.
Similarly, Khan’s engagement with China’s Yue Xiaoyong focused on promoting a harmonized approach to regional peace and stability. Both Pakistan and China reaffirmed their commitment to working together on measures that enhance security, economic development, and political cooperation across the region.
Khan emphasized that the partnership between Pakistan and China serves as a cornerstone for broader regional collaboration, with shared priorities including counterterrorism, humanitarian support, and sustainable development initiatives.
The discussions also extended to cooperation with Russia, where Khan met with his Russian counterpart Zamir Kabulov.
The primary focus of these talks was to explore mechanisms for increasing regional cooperation in Afghanistan, particularly in areas such as political stability, counterterrorism, and economic reconstruction. The engagement underlined the importance of maintaining consistent dialogue between Moscow and Islamabad as a means to ensure coordinated efforts in addressing the complex challenges facing Afghanistan.
Afghanistan itself is represented at the meeting by its Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, who arrived in Moscow on Monday. For the first time, Afghanistan’s foreign minister is participating in the Moscow Format Consultations as an official member, marking a milestone in the inclusivity of the platform.
Deputy spokesperson for Afghanistan’s foreign ministry, Hafiz Zia Takkal, stated that Muttaqi will present Afghanistan’s perspectives on strengthening relations with the broader region, and also engage in bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. These discussions are expected to focus on political reconciliation, economic development, anti-narcotics efforts, and counterterrorism measures, with priority given to fostering practical cooperation between Afghanistan and neighboring countries.
The Moscow Format has historically emphasized that Afghanistan must fulfill its international commitments, particularly in combating terrorism and dismantling extremist networks.
Participating nations have repeatedly urged Afghan authorities to take concrete, verifiable actions to prevent the use of its territory for cross-border attacks. Pakistan, which has been an active member of the format since its inception in 2016, has consistently advocated for a balanced approach that prioritizes security, humanitarian assistance, and regional cooperation.
The dialogue in Moscow also comes amid broader concerns about Afghanistan’s internal dynamics, including the humanitarian challenges faced by its population. The participants stressed that regional stability cannot be achieved without addressing the socio-economic and human security needs of the Afghan people. Enhanced cooperation in these areas is considered essential not only for Afghanistan’s future but also for preventing the spillover of instability into neighboring countries.
Pakistan’s active engagement in these consultations highlights its role as a responsible regional actor committed to promoting stability in Afghanistan. Through coordinated efforts with China, Russia, and Iran, Pakistan aims to contribute to a framework that ensures Afghanistan does not become a haven for terrorist groups, while simultaneously supporting measures that enhance governance, security, and economic development.
Overall, the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan serve as a critical platform for dialogue and cooperation, bringing together key regional stakeholders to address shared challenges.
Today’s discussions are expected to further consolidate commitments to a peaceful, sovereign, and stable Afghanistan, with concrete plans for collaborative action against terrorism and other threats. The inclusion of Afghanistan’s foreign minister as a formal participant underscores the evolving nature of the format and the increasing emphasis on Afghan ownership of its diplomatic and security processes. With coordinated regional efforts, the participating nations hope to pave the way for lasting peace, development, and stability in Afghanistan and across the wider Central and South Asian region.