The absence of Pakistan from the Moscow-organized summit on Afghanistan does not speak to Pakistan’s independent foreign policy on regional matters. There will be a void for Pakistan if the most significant summit, which was attended by all regional players, is skipped. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto decided not to attend the multilateral meeting that Russia had convened in Moscow to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. Instead, he only abstained from the moot in protest at India’s inclusion in the gathering. Even though Russia had sent a senior official to invite Mr Bhutto, Pakistan turned down Moscow’s invitation while simultaneously expecting the Russian government to purchase its fuel at a reduced price. President Putin delivered remarks at the multilateral discussions of secretaries of (regional) security councils on Afghanistan, which were hosted by Russia and attended by senior security officials from the Central Asian states, China, Iran, and India.
Pakistan is the most significant nation, not only because of its location but also because it is both directly and indirectly related to peace in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is a flashpoint for the region. The Foreign Office informed the Russian emissary that this country supported regional solutions through the Moscow Format, another initiative led by Russia, but Mr Kabulov was reportedly under the impression that Pakistan would attend the security meeting that had just ended. This raises some questions about what transpired. Pakistan is one of the nations most impacted by the unrest in Afghanistan because it is that nation’s neighbour. Therefore, its voice is important, but only if it is heard on all pertinent regional and international venues. Mr Putin brought up the terrorism and humanitarian suffering in Afghanistan at the most recent Moscow debate. All of these problems have a direct impact on Pakistan. In the future, this nation must actively engage in all discussions that can contribute to the stability of Afghanistan. It must also make sure that Pakistan’s voice is heard and that its interests are safeguarded at all regional gatherings, and it must prevent others from using our absence as an opportunity to further isolate us.
