Tracing China's contemporary interest in post-9/11 Afghanistan

Abstract

This article aims at examining China's contemporary interests in post-9/11 Afghanistan. China's diplomatic engagement started in post-Taliban Afghanistan, yet it did not take any part in the US military campaign. Sine the US-Taliban engagement for peace talks, Beijing has been playing an active role and hosted a number of Taliban delegations for the peace process. The article argues the security threat from Afghanistan, vast natural resources in Afghanistan; concern of narcotic flow from Afghanistan; the market for Chinese goods, and most importantly, Chin's Belt and Road initiative needs a stable and peaceful Afghanistan are the main factors Beijing is active vis-�-vis contemporary Afghanistan. China's active socio-economic, political, and diplomatic rendezvous in Afghanistan will not only bring peace and stability to Afghanistan but will also augment China's political thump at the global level and provide it with a peaceful neighbourhood, the market for its goods and a corridor for its Belt and Road Initiative.