Afghanistan’s integration into regional politics and economy key to lasting stability: Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says Afghanistan’s stability depends on its integration into regional political and economic frameworks, urging cooperation among neighboring countries instead of reliance on outside interventions.

Araqchi made the remarks during a high-level meeting titled “Afghanistan Developments Review” in Tehran on Sunday, attended by special representatives from Afghanistan’s neighboring and regional countries.

Addressing the meeting, Araghchi said experience has shown that “imported prescriptions and trans-regional decisions” have failed to bring stability to crisis-hit countries.

He further highlighted the central role of neighboring states in addressing regional problems, describing these nations as the “most natural and reliable” actors in addressing Afghanistan’s challenges. 

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Araghchi further emphasized Afghanistan’s strategic geoeconomic position at the crossroads of Central Asia, West Asia, and South Asia, stressing its potential as a bridge for trade, energy transit, and regional connectivity. 

The Iranian foreign minister further noted that Afghanistan’s stability and development are not only a humanitarian necessity but also a strategic imperative for the entire region, noting that security and prosperity in Afghanistan are inseparable from the interests of neighboring countries.

Araghchi also called for collective responsibility and trust-building among regional states, stating that the integration of Afghanistan into regional political and economic processes would help establish long-term stability and reduce tensions.

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He also warned against excessive reliance on security-based approaches, neglect of Afghanistan’s social and cultural realities, marginalization of regional actors, and the hasty foreign withdrawal in 2021, attributing these factors to past failures.

Araghchi further reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to expand cooperation with Afghanistan’s neighbors in areas such as transportation, trade, energy, and consular services, arguing that regional convergence could create a sustainable framework for cooperation centered on Afghanistan. 

“At the heart of all these efforts are the people of Afghanistan, who deserve a secure and dignified future,” he said.

In a post on his X account on Sunday, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, reiterated the country's commitment to promoting peace, development, and security across the region.

He also said that Pakistan's concerns over terrorism must be addressed. 

The Tehran meeting, hosted by Iran’s Foreign Ministry, brought together officials from Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, China, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to exchange views on the latest developments in Afghanistan and the broader South Asian and Central Asian regions. 

The high-stakes meeting follows earlier, unsuccessful efforts by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia to bridge the gap between Islamabad and Kabul, and has been regarded as the most ambitious diplomatic push yet to calm rising tensions.

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