China is a relatively new entrant in the great game in Afghanistan but that doesn't necessarily mean it won't be good at it. China has already held talks with the representatives of the Afghan Taliban in Beijing purportedly on the behalf of Afghanistan's government.
"We ask them to talk to you, that's what our Chinese friends tell us. We welcome it", says Dr Abdullah Abdullah, the chief executive officer and second in command in Afghanistan government.
China has a stake in Afghanistan's future more than ever before.
Seeking resources the Middle Kingdom has been acquiring mines left right and centre, it was Aynak in Logar the copper reserve that China eyed and acquired. As we drove through Taliban invaded villages it was evident Aynak is costing China more than it is yielding. So far no mining work has begun.
But resources, is the last of Chinese concerns in the scenario developing in Afghanistan.
According to highly placed sources, the Afghan government handed over at least 30 Uighur terrorists trained in Pakistan to China.
When asked about why the theatre of war has shifted from the south to the north of Afghanistan, President Ghani said "that is because now our neighbours like China are facing danger from terrorists outfits like ETIM".
Welcoming China's intervention is not just the Afghan government but also the Afghan Taliban it seems. We met Syed Akbar Agha, a Taliban leader who claims to be in close contact with the Afghan Taliban negotiators, and is the cousin of Tayeb Agha, the man who led the first talks with the now Germany's ambassador to India Micheal Steiner in Germany and started the whole process. Even though it hasn't had much success yet it has certainly provided the much needed narrative for America's exit.
Daud Moradian, a known Afghan expert fears China is being played by Pakistan, making it more suspicious of Pakistan and at the same time presenting India and China with an opportunity to cooperate on terror.
While India isn't overtly concerned about China's meddling if it leads to peace in Afghanistan, the worry is if China strikes a bargain with Pakistan in the region just to protect it's own interests while ignoring larger peace in Afghanistan.
Highly placed sources in the strategic community have shared with us that China's attempts with the Taliban have failed. The Taliban have expressed unwillingness to negotiate with the Afghan government at least at the moment.
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