Regional Powerhouses Unite: A 10-Nation Front Opposes External Military Presence in Afghanistan Amidst Global Scrutiny

In a significant geopolitical declaration that resonates across Central and South Asia, a powerful 10-nation grouping, the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group, has issued a resolute statement against the establishment of any foreign military infrastructure in Afghanistan. This unified stance, emerging from a recent high-level meeting, underscores a collective commitment to regional sovereignty, stability, and the prevention of external interference in the war-torn nation's affairs.

Comprising heavyweight nations such as Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and the Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, alongside Afghanistan itself, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) contact group represents a formidable regional consensus.

Their declaration is not merely a diplomatic nicety but a strategic articulation of a shared vision for Afghanistan's future – one free from foreign military bases that could potentially destabilize the region or serve as conduits for external geopolitical maneuvering.

Sources close to the discussions indicate that this firm position has been adopted with a keen 'eye on Donald Trump.' The potential return of the former U.S.

President to the White House has prompted regional powers to prepare for shifts in global foreign policy, particularly concerning Afghanistan. Trump's previous administration saw a significant reduction in U.S. military presence and a fluctuating approach to the region, creating an environment where regional players are keen to assert their influence and ensure any future policy changes do not inadvertently lead to new forms of external military engagement.

The grouping's opposition stems from a deep-seated desire to ensure Afghanistan's hard-won independence and prevent it from becoming a proxy battleground or a launching pad for operations by non-regional actors.

The collective memory of past interventions and their often-detrimental consequences for Afghan sovereignty and regional peace heavily influences this shared perspective. By explicitly rejecting foreign military infrastructure, the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group aims to solidify a framework for Afghanistan's self-determination and sustainable peace.

This declaration serves as a powerful message to the international community: regional issues, particularly those concerning the security and future of Afghanistan, should primarily be resolved through regional mechanisms and with respect for national sovereignty.

It highlights a growing trend among non-Western powers to assert greater control over their immediate geopolitical surroundings, seeking to insulate themselves from broader global power struggles and establish a more self-reliant security architecture.

The implications of this unified front are far-reaching.

It not only reinforces the SCO's increasing assertiveness as a regional security bloc but also sets a clear precedent for how major Asian powers intend to engage with Afghanistan. It signals a collective effort to build a stable, prosperous, and sovereign Afghanistan that contributes positively to regional security, rather than remaining a source of instability or an arena for external military deployments.

The world watches closely as this regional consensus takes shape, potentially redefining the future trajectory of Afghanistan and the broader Central and South Asian landscape.