US President Joe Biden, on Wednesday, warned that China, Russia and Pakistan are trying to work out some arrangement with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Responding to a question on whether the US was worried about China funding the Taliban, Biden said that Beijing has a real problem with the Taliban as a result of which they will try to make an arrangement with the group.
“So they’re going to try to work out some arrangement with Taliban, I’m sure. As does Pakistan, as does Russia, as does Iran. They’re all trying to figure out what do they do now,” Biden said. His comments came a day after the Taliban formed an acting government in Afghanistan and included in its Cabinet, a US-designated terrorist Sirajuddin Haqqani.
Chinese Foreign Minister holds meetings with the Taliban
Biden’s comments may be viewed on the backdrop of the recent meetings between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Afghan Taliban Political Commission Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. According to agency reports, Chinese companies have already obtained drilling rights in parts of Afghanistan. The mineral deposits in that country are essential for electronic products such as smartphones.
According to a Reuters report, the US has blocked the Taliban’s access to Afghanistan’s reserves. However, experts are of the view that if China and Russia provide funds to the Taliban, then the US stands to lose its economic leverage. While Russia has not yet commented on its relations with the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s active role in aiding the formation of the government in Kabul has been widely talked about.
Earlier this week, the Taliban also expressed a desire to join the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the economic gateway that connects major regions in China to ports in Pakistan.
