The Position of Afghanistan in China’s Belt and Road Initiative Project

Abstract

Afghanistan, neighboring China and located at the heart of Asia, holds significant transit advantages and economic, political, and security importance for all regional and extra-regional countries. Given its economic capacity, China aims to supervise and maintain trade relations with countries in South and West Asia and Europe through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Afghanistan's geographic proximity to surrounding territories offers an optimal route for implementing and consolidating China’s economic, political, and security strategies. Moreover, China seeks an alternative to the Malacca Strait, which is largely monitored by India, a regional rival. This article exploresthe question of Afghanistan’s position in China's Belt and Road Initiative through an analytical and descriptive approach. Given the security situation in Kashmir, the Indo-Pak conflict, and instability in Central Asian countries, China considers Afghanistan —despite its geographic challenges and proximity to the Middle East, Europe, and open seas —as a key strategic option in its long-term economic and political planning.