News Desk: Islamabad – resident Donald Trump’s request to reestablish a military presence in Afghanistan by regaining control of Bagram Air Base.
The opposition was voiced during an informal meeting held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. According to China’s Foreign Ministry, representatives from the four countries met to discuss the evolving situation in Afghanistan and agreed to issue a joint statement opposing any foreign military bases in the country.
Donald Trump (United States)
President Trump, in a statement earlier this week, urged the Taliban’s interim administration to hand over Bagram Air Base to the Pentagon, warning that “bad things” would happen if they refused. Trump has consistently criticized the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and appears to be exploring options to reassert military influence in the region.
Guo Jiakun (China)
Guo Jiakun, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, announced the outcome of the quadrilateral meeting during a press conference in Beijing on Friday.
“The joint statement emphasized respect for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity,” Guo said. “It reiterated firm opposition to the re-establishment of military bases in Afghanistan and the region by the countries responsible for the current situation.”
He added: “This fully demonstrates the respect that Afghanistan’s neighboring countries have for its sovereignty and national dignity.”
Sergey Lavrov (Russia)
Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, attended the meeting and supported the joint position. Russia has repeatedly warned against Western military expansion near its borders and has called for a regional solution to Afghan stability.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi (Iran)
Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, echoed concerns about foreign military bases in the region. Tehran has maintained an open line of communication with the Taliban but remains cautious about any renewed U.S. activity in neighboring Afghanistan.
Yue Xiaoyong (China)
Yue Xiaoyong, China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, was also present at the meeting and later posted a photo of the gathering on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the significance of regional coordination.
Umer Siddique (Pakistan)
Representing Pakistan, senior diplomat Umer Siddique reiterated Islamabad’s longstanding opposition to foreign military bases on Afghan soil. Pakistan has warned that another U.S. base in the region could destabilize border areas and fuel anti-American sentiment.
Taliban Response
The Taliban’s interim administration has firmly refused Trump’s request, citing Afghanistan’s sovereignty and independence. Taliban officials have demanded that the U.S. honor the terms of the Doha Agreement signed in 2020, which paved the way for the American military withdrawal.
Background: Bagram Air Base
Located north of Kabul, Bagram Air Base was once the largest U.S. military installation in Afghanistan and served as a hub for operations throughout the region. It was evacuated in July 2021, weeks before the Taliban returned to power.
The base remains a potent symbol of American military influence, and its potential reactivation has triggered sharp reactions from regional stakeholders wary of renewed conflict or foreign intervention.
With China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan aligning against the return of a U.S. military base in Afghanistan, President Trump’s administration faces a major geopolitical hurdle. The growing regional consensus signals a shift toward a post-Western security architecture in Central and South Asia—one increasingly resistant to American re-engagement on military terms.
