The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under China's Belt and Road Initiative, is now being expanded into Afghanistan. This strategic move aims to enhance regional integration, economic development, and connectivity between Central Asia, South Asia, and China through Afghanistan.

Key Highlights:

• The decision to extend CPEC to Afghanistan was officially reaffirmed during recent trilateral talks between China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan aimed at strengthening economic cooperation.
• The expansion will provide Afghanistan access to modern infrastructure, trade routes, and energy projects, potentially boosting its struggling economy.
• China has expressed its commitment to building transportation, energy, and industrial projects in Afghanistan as part of the corridor’s extension.
• Security concerns remain a major hurdle, with all three countries emphasizing the need for stable governance and a secure environment to ensure project success.
• This move may alter geopolitical dynamics in the region by increasing China’s influence and potentially facilitating greater economic interdependence between Afghanistan and its neighbors.