Bridging nations, building futures

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting this year has once again reminded the world that Asia’s future lies in cooperation, not confrontation. For Afghanistan, the forum carries special meaning. As the heart of Asia, Afghanistan is no longer seen as a land of conflicts, but as a land of opportunities bridging South Asia, Central Asia, and beyond.

The discussions at the SCO meeting echoed a common sentiment: peace and prosperity in Afghanistan are integral to regional stability. This is not mere diplomatic language; it is a shared recognition that the roads of connectivity, pipelines of energy, and routes of trade across Asia pass through Kabul’s corridors. Afghanistan’s participation in the SCO reflects its independent foreign policy based on balanced regional engagement, not dependency.

For regional countries, cooperation with Afghanistan is not about influence, but about mutual benefit and respect for sovereignty. Afghanistan’s reconstruction and role in the region will always be led by Afghans themselves, with neighbors contributing as partners rather than patrons. Connectivity projects, from railways to energy corridors, show that Afghanistan is a natural partner in development and stability.

China, as a founding pillar of the SCO and architect of the Belt and Road Initiative, has reaffirmed its role as a steady partner for the region. Beijing’s position that Afghanistan deserves stability, growth, and respect aligns with the Islamic Emirate’s vision of sovereignty and self-reliance. Cooperation in infrastructure, education, and trade is welcome, so long as it is built on equality and non-interference.

Afghanistan maintains balanced ties with all neighbors—Pakistan, China, Iran, Central Asian states, and beyond. Its geography is its strength, and through independent policy it seeks to once again serve as the “crossroads of Asia.” The SCO meeting has shown that regional countries are willing to support Afghanistan’s rightful place in the region.

The message from Tianjin is clear: the time for suspicion has passed; the era of collaboration has begun. Afghanistan’s gains from the SCO are practical, particularly in trade, connectivity, cultural exchanges, and economic cooperation. The Islamic Emirate emphasizes that Afghan soil will not be used against any country, but it does not accept being portrayed as a source of terrorism.

In the coming years, the SCO will be remembered not only as a platform for governments, but as a bridge for peoples. Afghanistan’s determination, rooted in its Islamic system, alongside regional cooperation, can write a new chapter of unity where Afghanistan stands not at the margins of history, but proudly at its center.

Above all, the SCO has shown that unity can turn challenges into opportunities. Afghanistan’s participation reflects the collective belief that tomorrow can be brighter when based on sovereignty, brotherhood, and balanced cooperation. With trust, trade, and respect, the region can rise together—proving that cooperation is the true currency of progress.