Afghanistan holds second round of trilateral dialogue with Pakistan, China

Afghanistan on Saturday hosted a three-way meeting with Pakistan and China to discuss trade and development in the country with a focus on counter-terrorism cooperation.

The foreign minister of three countries,Shah Mahmood Qureshi,Wang Yi and Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani signed a Memorandum of Understanding on anti-terrorism cooperation in Kabul.

During the inaugural speech of the trilateral dialogue, Rabbani said that collective efforts are required to address the common challenge of terrorism.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

He also said that Pakistan-Afghan relations are rooted in common faith and culture and added that he desire to strengthen their relations.

Reaffirming commitment to eradicate terrorism, Pakistan foreign minister Qureshisaid,"better border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan and intelligence sharing will be greatly beneficial for both countries."

This was the second round of the trilateral dialogue Beijing initiated last year to help ease political tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.

Qureshi is also expected to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani during his visit. This is his secondvisit to Afghanistansince assuming office this year.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are trying to improve ties despite lingering suspicions and mistrust about each other.

The Taliban are fighting to flush out international forces and re-establish their regime in Afghanistan after their ouster in 2001.

China, a close ally of Pakistan, has lent tens of billions of dollars to Pakistan and the two have forged close economic ties as part of Beijing's "One Belt, One Road" policy of expanding trade links across Asia.