Regional powers push for Afghan stability amid rising militant threats

The foreign ministers of China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia have highlighted Afghanistan as a source of growing regional and global security risks, warning that militant groups operating from the country pose a “serious threat” and urging both Kabul and the international community to take concrete action.

Meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the four nations called on Afghan authorities to curb the activities of ISIS, al Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), and other armed groups.

They pressed for verifiable measures to block terrorist financing, recruitment, and cross-border operations, emphasizing the urgency of coordinated counterterrorism efforts.

The ministers also stressed the importance of separating humanitarian aid from political disputes, calling for expanded emergency assistance to Afghanistan’s population, where millions face hunger and displacement.

While reaffirming Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, the statement urged Kabul to establish an inclusive political system representing all ethnic and religious communities, including women, and to create conditions for the safe return of Afghan refugees - a process supported by Pakistan and Iran, which have hosted millions over decades.

On the issue of narcotics, the ministers praised Afghanistan’s progress in reducing opium cultivation but called for stronger action against synthetic drugs and organized crime networks that continue to fuel instability.

The joint statement also held NATO members accountable for Afghanistan’s ongoing challenges, urging them to support pathways for economic recovery and sustainable development.

The foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to regional frameworks such as the Moscow Format and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as platforms for coordinating political solutions to Afghanistan’s enduring crisis.