Afghanistan’s regional neighbors, standing in a rare show of unity, have expressed strong opposition against foreign attempts to establish military infrastructure in the country, as President Donald Trump presses for control of the Bagram airbase.
In a joint statement on Tuesday, members of the Moscow Format of Consultations on Afghanistan, which includes long-time rivals India and Pakistan, reaffirmed their commitment to establishing Afghanistan as an independent, united, and peaceful state.
The forum also includes significant players like Russia, China, Iran, and Central Asian nations, all of whom share the sentiment against any renewed U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.
The statement condemned military infrastructure deployments by foreign nations as unacceptable, arguing that such actions do not contribute to regional peace and stability.
This expression of consensus highlights a growing regional opposition to President Trump’s objective of reinstating U.S. control at Bagram, a base he previously handed over to Afghanistan’s Taliban five years ago as part of a broader agreement for U.S. withdrawal from Kabul.
Interestingly, India, a key ally of the United States, finds itself navigating its traditionally pro-U.S. stance in light of its evolving relationship with the Taliban, which it had historically opposed.
As part of its diplomatic engagement, India is preparing to host the Taliban’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, for a landmark visit to New Delhi scheduled from October 9 to 16.
Muttaqi, following his participation in the Moscow forum, stated firmly that Afghanistan would not tolerate any foreign military presence.
“Afghanistan is a free and independent country, and throughout history, it has never accepted the military presence of foreigners,” he remarked.
He added, “Our decision and policy will remain the same to keep Afghanistan free and independent.”
In the preceding month, President Trump issued warnings that Afghanistan would face severe repercussions if it did not hand back control of Bagram, citing its strategic significance near China.
However, the Taliban has firmly rejected Trump’s demands for the base’s return.
Strategically located approximately 800 km from the Chinese border, Bagram lies around 2,400 km from the closest Chinese missile facility in Xinjiang.
Trump has indicated that the urgency to reclaim Bagram is to counter Chinese influence, stating in London that the base is just “an hour away from where [China] makes its nuclear weapons.”
Skepticism remains among current and former U.S. officials regarding Trump’s aim, with many suggesting that retaking Bagram would entail a significant reinvestment of U.S. military resources, potentially requiring over 10,000 troops along with advanced air defense systems.
Experts point out that the logistics of redeploying troops and reoccupying the facility would be both cumbersome and time-consuming, with questions raised about the strategic benefits for either side.
Ashley Jackson, co-director at the Centre on Armed Groups, observes, “The sheer logistics of negotiating redeployment would be extremely challenging and lengthy, and it’s not clear that this would serve either side’s strategic interests.”
Bagram airbase has a tumultuous history, serving as the primary hub for U.S. forces during the two-decade conflict in Afghanistan that began after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The site was notorious for holding thousands of detainees without charges during the U.S. military’s counterterrorism efforts, with many reported incidents of abuse and torture.
After the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, the Taliban regained control of Bagram, a development set in motion by Trump’s earlier decisions and culminating in the abrupt collapse of the Afghan government during President Biden’s administration.
image source from：aljazeera
