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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Pakistan, Turkey agree to increase cooperation over peace efforts in Afghanistan

News Analysis |

Pakistan and Turkey have agreed that a military-heavy policy cannot solve the seemingly intractable Afghan problem. Both countries have reiterated the need for regional players to join hands and bring about a negotiated end to the conflict by enabling and Afghan-led peace process to kick-off.

The pledge was made during Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif’s visit to Turkey in a bid to garner support against Trump’s plans for Afghanistan, which entail stern warnings to Pakistan. Asif traveled to Turkey as part of his diplomatic engagement campaign which first took him to China and then Iran.

As it stands, the US only has India which has bought its Afghan strategy. However, the lackluster support makes this policy untenable at best

The Turkish President, Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his country’s unwavering commitment to strengthen and expand brotherly ties with Pakistan. Both agreed to maintain robust contact at the highest level for coordinating efforts in Afghanistan. While Khawaja Muhammad Asif asserted the need for both countries to enhance strategic ties. Asif also met premier Binali Yildirim and foreign minister Mevlüt Çavusoglu; matters of mutual interests were discussed.

Read more: Pakistan Is Uniting China, Russia, and Turkey against Trump’s Afghan strategy

Turkey joins China, Iran, and Russia in the club of countries who have rejected Trump’s military-heavy panacea for Afghanistan. These countries are certain that bullets would not alter the dynamics in that country.

The US could find regional players firmly pitted against its scheme for Afghanistan. Geopolitical rivalries taking shape in other theaters will also have a direct impact on how these actors play out in Afghanistan

The progress made in strategic relations between the two countries under the aegis of High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC). During his meeting with his Turkish counterpart, the plight of Kashmiris and the Rohingya Muslim was discussed. Asif was grateful for Turkey’s  principled support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination. Both countries also stressed upon the international community to take cognizance and actions to alleviate the sufferings of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

Pakistan besides showing defiance to US ramped-up pressure over its alleged support for terrorism has successfully convinced regional heavyweights that Trump’s plan for war-torn Afghanistan will be futile. Turkey has once again batted for Pakistan. Last week, President Erdogan said that Pakistan is an integral and indispensable part of the Afghan solution. The fact that Erdogan personally has a great affinity for Pakistan has added to the strength of bilateral ties.

Read more: The rise and fall of secularism in modern Turkey

Iran and Turkey are moving towards greater cooperation While Turkey’s ties with Russia are strengthening especially in the field of defense

With Turkey in the mix, chances of Pakistan chalking out an alliance have risen. Iran and Turkey are moving towards greater cooperation. While Turkey’s ties with Russia are strengthening especially in the field of defense.

The US could find regional players firmly pitted against its scheme for Afghanistan. Geopolitical rivalries taking shape in other theaters will also have a direct impact on how these actors play out in Afghanistan. As it stands, the US only has India which has bought its Afghan strategy. However, the lackluster support makes this policy untenable at best.