Trump’s Afghan airbase gambit unites India, Pakistan and China in opposition
At Moscow talks, regional rivals joined Russia and Iran in rejecting US president’s bid to reclaim Bagram airbase from the Taliban
At the 7th Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow on Tuesday, the three Asian powers – often at odds over borders and regional influence – joined countries including Iran and Russia in rejecting Washington’s push to reclaim the base.
“They [countries present at the Moscow Format] called unacceptable the attempts by countries to deploy their military infrastructure in Afghanistan and neighbouring states, since this does not serve the interests of regional peace and stability,” said a joint statement published by the Russian foreign ministry.
Representatives from Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan also attended, with a delegation from Belarus taking part as guests. The Moscow Format, established in 2017, has long served as a platform for regional dialogue on Afghanistan.
The Trump administration’s stated goal has raised concerns over renewed US military presence in the region. Trump has publicly argued that the US should retake Bagram because of its proximity to western China, claiming it lies close to where Beijing develops its nuclear weapons.
Bagram, located 44 kilometres (27 miles) north of Kabul, was originally a Soviet-era airbase set up in the 1950s.
During the US occupation, it became the largest American military base in Afghanistan and the hub of the 20-year American-led campaign until US and Nato forces withdrew in 2021 under former President Joe Biden.
The base is now controlled by Afghanistan’s Taliban-led defense ministry.
Trump has repeatedly emphasised its strategic value and alleged Chinese influence – claims Afghan authorities have denied.
Last month, during a joint press briefing with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump said he “wants” the base back, warning that “bad things will happen” if the Taliban did not comply.
“We’re trying to get [the base] back, by the way,” he said, calling the effort “a little breaking news.” He added: “We want that base back. But one of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.”
Deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat added that “rather than repeating past failed approaches, a policy of realism and rationality should be adopted.”
During Tuesday’s Moscow meeting, participating countries “reaffirmed” their support for establishing Afghanistan as “an independent, united and peaceful state.”