Afghan political analysts suggested Thursday that the support of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will only be advantageous to Afghanistan if it works with the US and Nato and not against.
The analysts were commenting to TOLOnews on the report from Chinese press agency Xinhua which said that the Chinese foreign ministry met with its Russian and Pakistani counterparts last night to discuss the crisis in Afghanistan and how the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation might help.
The diplomats from the three countries met Wednesday evening in the Chinese capital Beijing to discuss their concerns about Afghanistan, saying the country's security is important for the region and directly affects all of the surrounding, Xinhua said.
The SCO was formed in 2001 by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to address matters of Eurasian security.
But at least one Afghan analyst believes its agenda is different to that of the US which may cause problems.
"This organisation basically stands against the United States and it acts with a sole purpose. If Shanghai is to play an alternative role and compete, it will bring losses to Afghanistan," said Afghan political analyst Salih Mohammad Rigestani. "But if Shanghai is to play a role for peace – which is a political act – in cooperation with the United States, it would be possible."
"We shouldn't forget that the United States will not give its role in Afghanistan to Shanghai, and also Shanghai cannot play an alternative role," he added.
While the Xinhua report said the three countries agreed on further endevours to provide peace and sustainability in Afghanistan, the Afghan analysts described the move as skewed because it does not sufficiently address the role of Pakistan.
"Those who attended the Shanghai meeting should put pressure on Pakistan and not simply say that the situation in Afghanistan has a direct effect over their countries. They have to also talk about Pakistan," said political analyst Gen Atiqullah Rahimi.
"If Pakistan leaves off interfering and starts helping peace in Afghanistan, it will do nobody any more harm and also security will be provided in the country [Afghanistan]," he added.
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran all have observer status in the SCO.