Neighboring Countries Show Opposition to US Reclaiming Bagram Base

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Vehicles are parked at Bagram Airfield following the withdrawal of American forces, in Parwan province, Afghanistan, July 5, 2021. — Reuters

– Countries including India, Pakistan, and China signed a joint statement.
– The statement condemns efforts to establish military infrastructure.
– The Taliban oppose any foreign military presence in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s neighboring countries seem to have unified against U.S. President Donald Trump’s announced intentions to take control of the Bagram military base near Kabul, according to a statement issued after a meeting in Moscow.

The “Moscow Format” gathering on Afghanistan — the seventh such meeting hosted by Russia but the first with the Taliban’s foreign minister in attendance — included India and Pakistan.

Participating nations also included Russia, China, Iran, and Central Asian countries.

In a joint statement released by Russia’s foreign ministry on Tuesday evening, these nations did not directly mention the U.S. or Bagram but appeared to criticize Trump’s plans for the base, aligning with the Taliban’s stance.

“They (the countries) find unacceptable the attempts by other nations to deploy military infrastructure within Afghanistan and neighboring states, as such actions do not contribute to regional peace and stability,” the statement read.

### Taliban Oppose Foreign Military Presence

At a press conference concluding the Moscow event, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi reaffirmed his country’s stance:

“Afghanistan is a sovereign and independent nation, and throughout its history, it has rejected outside military presence. Our policies remain unchanged in keeping Afghanistan autonomous and free.”

The U.S. State Department did not immediately comment.

The Taliban first governed Afghanistan until 2001, when they were ousted during a U.S.-led invasion. Their return to power in 2021 followed a chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops.

Bagram, located just outside Kabul, was once the largest and most well-known U.S. base in Afghanistan, until the U.S. military’s hasty exit last year, as the Taliban regained control.

Recently, Trump warned of repercussions if Afghanistan does not return Bagram, citing its strategic proximity to China.

Current and former U.S. officials doubt Trump’s intentions, suggesting re-occupying Bagram could resemble a re-invasion, potentially requiring thousands of troops and advanced air defense systems.