Pakistan has brought its all-weather friend China for its sinister Afghanistan agenda, an agreement that could make the United States' efforts for a peace deal irrelevant.&nbsp;

A new report has claimed that China and Pakistan have begun an "unprecedented intelligence sharing agreement" that allows Beijing to spread its tentacles in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

According to this report, China aims to fulfil multiple objectives with the arrangements.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-foreign-minister-says-pakistani-terror-groups-have-symbiotic-relations-with-al-qaeda-is-318709">Afghan foreign minister says Pakistani terror groups have symbiotic relations with Al Qaeda, IS</a>

These objectives include denying Uighurs a safe haven in Afghanistan.

Reportedly, Pakistan and China have secured pledges from the Taliban to not support the Uighurs.&nbsp;

China also aims economic expansion in this region and trying hard to take its Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) to Afghanistan.&nbsp;

It has already reserved major mineral stockpiles for itself.&nbsp;

In 2007, a state-owned Chinese company outbid everyone to win rights over 11 million tons of copper in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The deal was worth more than $3 billion, but its details are inaccessible, mainly due to the volatile security situation.&nbsp;

Another objective of China is to gain an advantage over India in South Asia.

By building a string of pearls through ports and other infrastructure, China has tried to encircle India on the high seas.&nbsp;

Beijing could be trying to accomplish a similar encirclement through land via Pakistan.

Reportedly, the intelligence-sharing has begun. China has granted the Pakistani defence ministry access to its high-level meetings.&nbsp;

These meetings are part of China's central military commission that is chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping himself.&nbsp;

Usually, these meetings of the joint staff department are a secret gathering and attendees are only senior Chinese leaders.

However, reports suggest, a Pakistani general is now allowed to be a part of these meetings as an observer.&nbsp;

The US intelligence community is worried and the fear is US withdrawal from the region could open doors for China's entry.&nbsp;

Pakistan has brought its all-weather friend China for its sinister Afghanistan agenda, an agreement that could make the United States' efforts for a peace deal irrelevant.

Pakistan has brought its all-weather friend China for its sinister Afghanistan agenda, an agreement that could make the United States' efforts for a peace deal irrelevant. A new report has claimed that China and Pakistan have begun an "unprecedented intelligence sharing agreement" that allows Beijing to spread its tentacles in Afghanistan. According to this report, China aims to fulfil multiple objectives with the arrangements. Also read | Afghan foreign minister says Pakistani terror groups have symbiotic relations with Al Qaeda, IS These objectives include denying Uighurs a safe haven in Afghanistan. Reportedly, Pakistan and China have secured pledges from the Taliban to not support the Uighurs. China also aims economic expansion in this region and trying hard to take its Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) to Afghanistan. It has already reserved major mineral stockpiles for itself. In 2007, a state-owned Chinese company outbid everyone to win rights over 11 million tons of copper in Afghanistan. The deal was worth more than $3 billion, but its details are inaccessible, mainly due to the volatile security situation. Another objective of China is to gain an advantage over India in South Asia. By building a string of pearls through ports and other infrastructure, China has tried to encircle India on the high seas. Beijing could be trying to accomplish a similar encirclement through land via Pakistan. Reportedly, the intelligence-sharing has begun. China has granted the Pakistani defence ministry access to its high-level meetings. These meetings are part of China's central military commission that is chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping himself. Usually, these meetings of the joint staff department are a secret gathering and attendees are only senior Chinese leaders. However, reports suggest, a Pakistani general is now allowed to be a part of these meetings as an observer. The US intelligence community is worried and the fear is US withdrawal from the region could open doors for China's entry.

Pakistan-China intelligence-sharing deal threatens US peace efforts in Afghanistan

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in the Afghan capital Monday amid an ongoing political crisis, a raging Taliban insurgency and rising coronavirus cases -- all of which further threaten an already-floundering peace process.

Pompeo was set to meet with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani along with his archrival Abdullah Abdullah, who also claims the presidency, following a contested election last year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-taliban-held-first-talks-regarding-prisoner-release-us-envoy-287966">Afghan, Taliban held first talks regarding prisoner release: US envoy</a>

According to a pool report from a journalist accompanying Pompeo, the top US diplomat was welcomed by special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad -- the lead US negotiator in recent talks with the Taliban -- after arriving at Kabul airport.

The visit comes just a day after the Afghan government and the Taliban held their first discussion on arranging prisoner exchanges -- a key step in a broader push for peace following a withdrawal deal signed between Washington and the militants last month.

The agreement established a framework for bringing to an end America's longest war following the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

Khalilzad tweeted Sunday it was "urgent" to quickly conclude plans for the prisoner swap -- as called for in the US pact with the Taliban -- with the coronavirus pandemic complicating diplomatic contacts.

The deal called for the release of up to 5,000 Taliban fighters held by Kabul, and up to 1,000 members of the Afghan government forces in insurgent hands.

That was meant to take place before the start of peace talks originally set for March 10 between the government -- which was not a party to the negotiations that produced the Doha deal -- and the Taliban.

After initially refusing to release the Taliban prisoners, Ghani announced that the authorities would free 1,500 insurgents as a "gesture of goodwill" with plans to free another 3,500 prisoners after the talks are underway.&nbsp;

The Taliban rejected the offer.

The Doha accord also calls for the gradual withdrawal of American and other foreign troops over a 14-month period -- the main focus of the US diplomatic efforts.

The first phase of that withdrawal has already begun, though some troop movements have been slowed by the coronavirus pandemic.

In exchange, the Taliban committed to fight jihadist groups like Al-Qaeda and promised to negotiate for the first time with Kabul.&nbsp;

But since the Doha agreement was signed, the Taliban have carried out scores of attacks.

Political chaos in Kabul has further complicated matters, with Ghani's former chief executive Abdullah also claiming the presidency following last September's bitterly disputed election.

The impasse and continued fighting along with the world's preoccupation with coronavirus has sparked fears the window for a peace deal is closing fast.

Afghan health officials have reported just 40 cases of the novel coronavirus and one death to date.&nbsp;

However, health experts fear the contagion is spreading as tens of thousands of Afghans have returned home in recent weeks after fleeing virus-hit Iran.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in the Afghan capital Monday amid an ongoing political crisis, a raging Taliban insurgency and rising coronavirus cases -- all of which further threaten an already-floundering peace process.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in the Afghan capital Monday amid an ongoing political crisis, a raging Taliban insurgency and rising coronavirus cases -- all of which further threaten an already-floundering peace process. Pompeo was set to meet with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani along with his archrival Abdullah Abdullah, who also claims the presidency, following a contested election last year. Also read | Afghan, Taliban held first talks regarding prisoner release: US envoy According to a pool report from a journalist accompanying Pompeo, the top US diplomat was welcomed by special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad -- the lead US negotiator in recent talks with the Taliban -- after arriving at Kabul airport. The visit comes just a day after the Afghan government and the Taliban held their first discussion on arranging prisoner exchanges -- a key step in a broader push for peace following a withdrawal deal signed between Washington and the militants last month. The agreement established a framework for bringing to an end America's longest war following the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Khalilzad tweeted Sunday it was "urgent" to quickly conclude plans for the prisoner swap -- as called for in the US pact with the Taliban -- with the coronavirus pandemic complicating diplomatic contacts. The deal called for the release of up to 5,000 Taliban fighters held by Kabul, and up to 1,000 members of the Afghan government forces in insurgent hands. That was meant to take place before the start of peace talks originally set for March 10 between the government -- which was not a party to the negotiations that produced the Doha deal -- and the Taliban. After initially refusing to release the Taliban prisoners, Ghani announced that the authorities would free 1,500 insurgents as a "gesture of goodwill" with plans to free another 3,500 prisoners after the talks are underway. The Taliban rejected the offer. The Doha accord also calls for the gradual withdrawal of American and other foreign troops over a 14-month period -- the main focus of the US diplomatic efforts. The first phase of that withdrawal has already begun, though some troop movements have been slowed by the coronavirus pandemic. In exchange, the Taliban committed to fight jihadist groups like Al-Qaeda and promised to negotiate for the first time with Kabul. But since the Doha agreement was signed, the Taliban have carried out scores of attacks. Political chaos in Kabul has further complicated matters, with Ghani's former chief executive Abdullah also claiming the presidency following last September's bitterly disputed election. The impasse and continued fighting along with the world's preoccupation with coronavirus has sparked fears the window for a peace deal is closing fast. Afghan health officials have reported just 40 cases of the novel coronavirus and one death to date. However, health experts fear the contagion is spreading as tens of thousands of Afghans have returned home in recent weeks after fleeing virus-hit Iran.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Kabul amid multiple crisis

It comes as the US begins withdrawing troops from the country as part of a linked agreement signed earlier with the Taliban.

Afghan Prez Ashraf Ghani agrees to prisoner release

24 hours after it was signed, The U.S. - Taliban peace deal has hit a roadblock. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has refused to release 5000 Taliban prisoners. This report has the details.

Gravitas: US - Taliban peace deal hits a roadblock

Washington plans to sign a peace deal with the Taliban on Feb. 29 following the successful implementation of a countrywide reduction in violence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Friday.

WION Fineprint: US-Taliban to sign peace deal on Feb 29