ISLAMABAD: Participants from China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan — at a trilateral meeting hosted by an Islamabad-based think tank on Monday — pledged to enhance the connectivity between the three nations for greater peace, stability and economic development of the region.

The talks were organized by the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) with its chief, Chairman of Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Mushahid Hussain describing the 21st century as the Asian era. “With a decline of the west, greater South Asia has emerged as a geo-economic concept, driven by economy and energy; roads and railways; and ports and pipeline. Pakistan is the hub of this connectivity due to CPEC [China Pakistan Economic Corridor],” the PCI said in a statement posted on its website.

The meeting was organized under the theme of economics, culture, and connectivity with CPEC as the focal point. China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, and his Afghan counterpart, Omar Zakhilwal were some of the speakers at the event.

Jing hailed the initiative for a trilateral dialogue and expressed hope that it would play a positive role in bringing the three countries closer. “In this region, a peaceful solution is the key for all countries. China is giving more and more attention toward development and peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the Chinese Embassy tweeted, quoting the ambassador.

According to the PCI, Zakhilwal said that the three countries must draw a line between economics and politics for enhanced regional integration. He added that Afghanistan supported the CPEC and its expansion into Afghanistan, noting that it would help develop his country internally. Additionally, he added that the economic corridor could strengthen interstate relations of all regional states.

In 2015, Pakistan and China launched the CPEC, a flagship project with a current worth of $60 billion.