India Joins Hands With Taliban, Pakistan and China to Oppose Trumps Bagram Airbase Request

India has unexpectedly aligned with Pakistan, China, Russia, and the Taliban to oppose  US President Donald Trump’s request to take over the Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.

This development emerged from the 7th Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, where participants issued a sharply worded joint statement on Tuesday. The statement condemned attempts by countries to deploy military infrastructure in Afghanistan and neighbouring states, deeming such actions unacceptable and detrimental to regional peace and stability.

The Taliban, through its spokesperson, firmly rejected any notion of handing over Afghan territory under any circumstances. This collective stance precedes the scheduled visit of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India. While India has not officially recognised the Taliban government, it continues to provide humanitarian and developmental assistance to Afghanistan.

Trump previously expressed that giving up Bagram was a mistake, highlighting the strategic importance of the airbase.