Taliban urges expanded security cooperation at China meeting
A Taliban Ministry of Interior delegation took part in an international security conference in China and called for expanded security cooperation with China and countries in the region. The delegation was led by Zainullah Abar, director general of the ministry’s office, and Abdul Rahim Saqib, the ministry’s chief of staff.
The Taliban representative at the meeting spoke about increasing security cooperation, intelligence sharing, border security and joint efforts against drugs and smuggling. He also claimed that Taliban-run security forces were committed to preventing Afghan soil from being used to create insecurity against the people of Afghanistan, neighbouring countries and other states.
According to the representative, recent security operations in Badakhshan province were an indication of these forces’ ability to confront what he called “security disruptors.” He said at the conference: “With the help and support of Allah, our security forces have the ability to prevent any insecurity inside the country, suppress criminals and security disruptors, and thwart the sinister aims and intentions of groups seeking to destabilise Afghanistan. The recent failure of disruptors in Badakhshan province in the north of the country is a living example of this capability.”
The Taliban representative also praised China’s policy of supporting regional peace and stability, saying Afghanistan was ready to expand security cooperation with China and countries in the region. He added at the end that Afghanistan wanted peace, security and economic development based on mutual respect and common interests.
In recent years, China has been among the countries that have maintained contacts and meetings with the Taliban administration centred on security, regional and economic issues. Badakhshan is also one of Afghanistan’s northeastern provinces and shares a short but strategic border with China.
