The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

China, Turkey and Azerbaijan openly sided with Pakistan when India launched Op 'Sindoor'. The only two countries who blamed Pakistan for the heinous massacre in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025 after singling out 26 Hindus and executing them ISIS-style with headshots at point blank range, were Israel and Afghanistan. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar thanked Taliban's acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, marking the first ministerial-level contact with the Interim Government of Afghanistan since Taliban returned to power in August 2021. Notably, India has permitted the Taliban to assume control of Afghan missions in Indian cities.

Post Operation 'Sindoor', India sent seven delegations of all-party parliamentarians to 32 countries. It can be taken for granted that all countries will sympathise with India, support India's right of self-defence, promise cooperation in counter-terrorism, some even agreeing that Pakistan sponsors terrorism, but as of now only Ethiopia has blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam massacre.

Afghanistan attaches great importance to China's security concerns and will not allow any force to use Afghan territory for activities that harm China

On May 21, 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired a trilateral China-Pakistan-Afghanistan meeting in Beijing, which was attended by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Wang Yi also held bilateral meetings with Ishaq Dar and Muttaqi. Pakistan and Afghanistan are to soon exchange ambassadors.

Muttaqi said, "Afghanistan attaches great importance to China's security concerns and will not allow any force to use Afghan territory for activities that harm China." A statement by China's foreign ministry reads, 'Muttaqi told Wang Yi that Afghanistan is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in the security sector, combat violent crimes, protect China's interests in Afghanistan and jointly maintain regional security and stability.'

China was one of the first countries to continue diplomatic relations after the Taliban seized power in 2021 and plans to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan and beyond

Wang Yi said, "China respects Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the independent choices made by the Afghan people. China will, as always, support the Afghan government in achieving long-term peace and stability in the country as soon as possible." China was one of the first countries to continue diplomatic relations after the Taliban seized power in 2021 and plans to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan and beyond.

Afghanistan has been part of the Great Game in South Asia, where the US interests are also focused on Bangladesh; in particular, installing an anti-India government. US President Donald Trump has been calling for US troops to reoccupy the Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan. It has also come to light that the US has been secretly funding the Taliban. The US has not blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam massacre and instead has hyphenated India and Pakistan by saying he managed the India-Pakistan ceasefire by threatening trade sanctions to halt India's military campaign against Islamabad – saving its proxy (Pakistan) that was running out of offensive drones, plus AD systems and PAF airfields largely defunct. The unholy nexus of CIA-MI6-ISI is running strong since the days of SEATO and CENTO.

The UN Sanctions Committee report released in July 2024 observed close proximity between the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the AQIS, sharing camps and training

A high-level US delegation visited Pakistan earlier this year and has recommended a deal with Pakistan for rare-earth minerals, which are largely in Balochistan and where a Canadian company already has a contract. Now Pakistan has signed an agreement with World liberty Financial (WLF), a cryptocurrency company in which Trump's family reportedly holds a 60 per cent stake. Pakistan aims to become South Asia's crypto hub with US patronage. Possible intentions of the US, therefore, must be kept in mind because the US would like to undercut India's rise notwithstanding the outward pretences.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are attacking Pakistani security forces. But we must acknowledge that the TTP and Taliban are two faces of the same coin. In a recent media interview, Mufti Abu Mansoor Asim (Noor Wali Mehsud), leader of TTP said that TTP is primarily targeting Pakistani security forces. He strongly denied claims that the TTP receives support from India, calling such allegations baseless and part of a propaganda campaign. He also dismissed accusations that TTP is using Afghan territory for attacking Pakistan. He called on other armed groups operating in Pakistan to unite and work collectively under a unified front. Regarding the declaration of 36 “Wilayats” (provinces) and appointed governors, he clarified that this represents a structural plan rather than a formal declaration of a government. He said that he is ready to sit for talks with India if it offers financial support to them, but no such offer is yet received.

The TTP is looking at taking control of Pakistan, while the Taliban is now in Afghanistan's foreign missions in India

There has been speculation that the TTP could help the BLA liberate Balochistan in “actual terms”. However, it needs to be noted that the cadre strength of the BLA is some 2,000, compared to 35,000-40,000 of the TTP. The latter may even go up as and when more groups in Pakistan may join up with them, which is quite possible. Moreover, looking at the mineral wealth of Balochistan, the TTP would well like to take control of the region itself. Significantly, former Emir of TTP Hakimullah had said that taking help from Hindus (Kafirs) is not allowed in Islam.

Finally, the TTP is looking at taking control of Pakistan, while the Taliban is now in Afghanistan's foreign missions in India. But we must remember that both are for the rule of Sharia and a Global Islamic Emirate. More significantly, the UN Sanctions Committee report released in July 2024 observed close proximity between the TTP and the AQIS, sharing camps and training, and carrying out attacks under the name of Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan, with Taliban another supporting body. Moreover, China plans decades ahead and is more advanced in diplomacy and strategic thought; a look at our immediate neighbourhood proves this.