Overview

• The 10-country forum issued a joint statement calling attempts to deploy military infrastructure in Afghanistan or neighboring states unacceptable.
• The statement did not name the United States or Bagram but was widely interpreted as a coordinated rebuke to President Donald Trump’s push to retake the base.
• Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi attended the talks for the first time and reiterated that Afghanistan will not host foreign troops.
• India joined Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan and five Central Asian states in backing the position, with New Delhi preparing to host Muttaqi for talks this week.
• Current and former US officials and analysts questioned the feasibility of reoccupying Bagram, saying it could resemble a re-invasion requiring thousands of troops and advanced air defenses.