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China-mooted counterterrorism alliance takes shape
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, China, Afghanistan and Tajikistan formally unveiled their quadrilateral counterterrorism alliance on Wednesday.
The announcement about the new four-nation mechanism, known as the Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism (QCCM) in counterterrorism, came as top commanders from the participating countries gathered in the Chinese city of Urumqi for the inaugural leadership meeting.
“The inaugural high-level meeting on Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism in counterterrorism by Afghanistan-China-Pakistan-Tajikistan armed forces/militaries was held in Urumqi, Xingjian Uygur autonomous region, China, on 3rd August 2016,” ISPR said in a statement.
The meeting was attended by Qadam Shah Shahim, CGS Afghan National Army; General Fang Fenghui, Chief of Joint Staff Department of Central Military Commission; General Raheel Sharif, COAS Pakistan Army; and Major General E. A. Cobidrzoda, First Deputy Defence Minister and CGS Tajikistan armed forces.
The QCCM was a Chinese initiative, but Gen Sharif actively contributed to its establishment. The general visited Tajikistan and Afghanistan in March for this purpose. His visit to Kabul on that occasion coincided with that of Gen Fang, who was also there for talks on the alliance.
“The participants unanimously agreed that terrorism and extremism are serious threat to regional stability and … reiterated to cooperate for tackling these forces for peace and stability of all member countries,” a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting said.
Under this arrangement, the four countries would cooperate in counterterrorism situation evaluation, clue verification, intelligence sharing, counterterrorism capacity building, counterterrorism joint training exercises and personnel training.
The QCCM, it was agreed, would work through consensus. The new mechanism clarified that it was not targeted against any state or international organisation.
Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2016
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Comments (44) Closed
The alliance is welcome. However without India, Iran, Russia's input this suffers from reduced validity
China is very smart . They are using carrot stick approach to curb the Xinjiang Uighur freedom movement and cutoff any neighboring Islamic population local support to Uighurs. Its a good thing in the end bcoz separatist movements are born out of immature fantasies of young people and evil powerloving people exploiting young people to die in name of freedom. As long as there is elected local govt and fair share of national resources and representation in national govt - thats what counts.
Ok. Now stop terrorism to save the alliance.
@Reality ,,let us work on this one and you guys along with your russian friends do your part. things will get better, most importantly these four nations are kind of brothers, so I think Pakistan will consider your idea, why India has to be included in every package, I would rather suggest India to work for Indians and make life better for them ,
I think these four brothers are doing great job for the region, I would suggest India, Nepal ,Sri lanka , should do the same.
This alliance is game changer. Afghanistan and Tajikistan have effectively gone into China camp. Pakistan's military influence in Afghanistan and China's economic Might will definitely impact this region.
Selective counterterrorism will be the policy and action plan of this new group.
Alliance will provide over the counter terrorism services.
Good going. Regional threats require regional response. No need to invite spoilers intended on spreading more terrorism via proxy governments.
With out India, it will be useless. With Iran, India, Bangladesh & Russia will be much more effective.
More such smaller and more focussed military groupings are necessary in our region, with the specific aim of creating a more secure and peaceful environment. In particular, such groupings could be more effective in controlling the growing menace of terrorism through speedier and more efficient intelligence sharing, and coordinated action.
Good. Now stop discriminating between bad and good terrorists.
slow and study Pakistan emerges as a Regional Power. Shukriya Pakistan.
including India will be defeating the purpose of this alliance.
Selective anti terrorism action, discrimination between good and bad terrorist. How each country differentiate this needs to be seen.
Great development. In my opinion if Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Russia are included. .... it would be a huge success. Not only for counter terrorism but a grand alliance for peace,process and stability of the region. And the world won't see sole super power anymore.
These countries also need to improve their political situation and harmony to reduce the terrorism which evolving within. Dictatorship, bad governance and intolerance for minorities are the few things which need to address.
@Reality why do you think India, Iran and Russia need to be part of this? If roles were reversed would Pakistan be invited? Face reality, turn around is fair game!!
A non starter Good luck yo all parties
Will this alliance act against "good terrorists" or "bad terrorists"?
now we see how china and pak Government is affectively working for achieving the CPEC route
Good move!
The power of money will supersede everything. China invested heavily and want to safeguard it. Conveniently 'using' rest all.
The chinese have a habit of nodding to everything you propose. But eventually they only do what they think is in their interest.
When will we get better internet routing because of this cooperation?
Great initiative, but make sure it should deliver as per its expectations and ambitions.
Smart move..
@baba Indians are behaving like Americans now a days despite the fact the number of people living below poverty line in India is more than Pakistan's entire population.
Afghanistan, Taliban and Tajikistan smoothly shift under Chinese influence. Difficult to believe but it is true like China reaches warm waters effortlessly while USSR disintegrated in the process.
this alliance is quite natural and justified because they share border with each other.
These four countries share border with each other. Moreover their contiguous border areas are equally important for all of them with respect to security and terrorism. so it is justified as well as nessasary.
@Vague Buster You have a 7 billion reserve. India just 379billion. Growth rate for you 3.7 ,India just 7.6 the BEST in world today. When you compare keep your mind open for facts.
Afghanistan participation is a good sign. They need to cooperate with Pakistan in order to combat terrorism instead of blaming Pakistan.
@Reality Russia, Iran and other central Asian states are potential contender, but India in presence of Pak and China and due to recent US/India military understanding looks difficult and little chances to be Welcome.
India has no role to play in fighting terrorism in this region. Where was India when Russian forces were in Afghanistan
@taimoor khan : Selective counter terrorism is a flawed premise to begin an alliance with. Selecting between good and bad terrorists is the root cause of misfortunes of this region and world. Adding another wannabe alliance will do nothing but promote that misfortune.
This is a good start for tackling the threat of terrorism.
@mkb ...include India and it will be another SAARC.
It should be named as PACT....Pakistan Afghanistan China Tajikistan.
@joe ...add one more...the amount borrowed money from International Financial Institutions by India
Those who have been left out should ponder over this and understand where their standing is when it comes to counter terrorism.
Let us keep our fingers crossed.
China play games to keep these smaller countries engaged but result without US and India's blessings will be nil as these 2 countries are the main players even though they don't share borders.
@Manoj Sharma You just wait and see how the four countries are going to curb terrorism and grow economically together. you save your sighs and wishes for that time.