Context: China and Pakistan are in a hurry to exploit the already vulnerable economy of Afghanistan after the Taliban took over the war-ravaged nation. 

• Afghanistan is facing massive financial challenges because the Taliban are not experienced in handling complicated economic issues.
• In an attempt to take advantage of the situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan and China have already revealed their plans. Most recently, Islamabad announced to trade with Afghanistan in Pakistani rupee. For using its own currency in the trade, Pakistan’s Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has cited the dollar crunch in Kabul as the reason. As per media reports, he has even offered to help the Taliban to fill up the technical positions that are currently vacant due to evacuations by western nations.
• Additionally, China’s Communist regime has also started ‘tempting’ the Taliban. Recently, the Xi Jinping-led government, which is known to lend money, has vowed $31 million to kickstart the Afghan economy. In return, the Taliban have reportedly shown interest in collaborating with Beijing over one of China’s biggest projects, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• China will be the largest beneficiary considering the Pakistani economy, as well as its currency, already relies on China. 
• In this edition of Big Picture, we analyze China's Afg-Pak Axis Against India. 

Their Joint Action has been outlined in five areas

• To avoid the expansion of war and prevent Afghanistan from falling into a full-scale civil war.
• To promote the intra-Afghan negotiations between the government and the Taliban and establish “a broad and inclusive political structure”.
• To resolutely combat terrorist forces and push all major forces in Afghanistan to draw a clear line against terrorism.
• To promote cooperation among Afghanistan’s neighbours and to explore the construction of a platform for cooperation among them.
• To closely work on international fora on the Afghan issue.

Need
Terrorism in Pakistan

• Pakistan is concerned over the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been waging an insurgency against the country for several years.

Rise in Uyghur Militants

• China is worried over the regrouping of the Uyghur militants from Xinjiang, China who operate under the aegis of East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which Beijing alleges has links with Al-Qaeda.
• The recently released 12th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the United Nation has confirmed the presence of the ETIM militants in Afghanistan.

Economic Interests

• If the situation in Afghanistan further deteriorates, Pakistan as well as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be in danger. Also many other Chinese projects in Afghanistan and Pakistan will be in danger.
• There was a recent bomb attack on a shuttle bus carrying Chinese engineers at Dasu area of Upper Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan where a Chinese company is building a 4320-mw dam on the Indus river.
• India has opposed the CPEC, which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), although China has pushed ahead with projects and stepped up its investments in PoK.

India’s Interests

India has strategic interests in Afghanistan’s future and as its ally, India can have an edge over Pakistan. Over the years India has tried to build its camaraderie with Afghanistan through investing in infrastructure, education sector, irrigation development and power generation projects.
Investments

• Protecting its investments, which run into billions of rupees, in Afghanistan.

Taliban

• Preventing a future Taliban regime from being a pawn of Pakistan.

Pakistan's Terror Base

• Making sure that the Pakistan-backed anti-India terrorist groups do not get support from the Taliban.

Road Ahead

• There is no inclusive government in Afghanistan and Pakistan has its imprint all over it. It's important to not that there is no Westphalian borders as far as Afghanistan is concerned but it is more like a "tossed up salad". It's the coming together of various ethnic groups that we need to look at.
• Futher, if there is no representation what will happen is that there is bound to be chaos with Pakistan playing significant role in Afghanistan this region is bound to become a terror up, with its western boarder is secured Islamabad is going to focus on its eastern border. History has shown us that we have to be extremely cautious, China's sole aim is to exploit resources in the region and have a major strategic sale. The newly forming axis wants to keep India at bay and alienate New Delhi the going however is going to be tough for China and Pakistan in Afghanistan.