Xi Jinping calls for ‘moderate’ Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended ‘an informal meeting’ with officials from Russia, Pakistan and Iran

China’s President Xi Jinping on Friday called on the “to adopt prudent and moderate” policies and said its neighbours should encourage Kabul to do so, with Beijing stepping up its diplomacy with countries in the region, including Russia, Pakistan and Iran.

Mr. Xi was addressing virtually in Dushanbe, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed on Friday. , Mr. Modi warned of the dangers of radicalisation and extremism posed to the region stemming from the instability there.

Mr. Xi made a similar point, urging the members of the SCO “to encourage Afghanistan to put in place a broad-based and inclusive political framework, adopt prudent and moderate domestic and foreign policies, resolutely fight all forms of terrorism, live in amity with its neighbours and truly embark on a path of peace, stability and development”. He said the country faced “many daunting challenges, and it needs the support and assistance of the international community”, as he called on SCO members “to step up coordination, make full use of platforms such as the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group and facilitate a smooth transition”.