The Taliban's Regime Security and the Strategic Calculus of China and Pakistan

ABSTRACT This article contributes to the understanding of China and Pakistan's relations with the Taliban in Afghanistan. It examines why do the Taliban prioritize regime security in relations with China and Pakistan. The analysis argues that while China and Pakistan approach Afghanistan based on strategic, security, and economic interests, the Taliban remain primarily focused on regime survival and internal stability. Despite historical tensions, the Taliban sustain unofficial relations with both states to secure political legitimacy and security guarantees. China's non‐interference policy enables the Taliban to consolidate power without external governance pressure, while Beijing seeks stable conditions to access Afghanistan's resources and expand regional connectivity. Pakistan aims to prevent Tehreek‐e‐Taliban militancy while maintaining leverage in Kabul. Using a regime security framework and qualitative analysis, the article finds that the Taliban's internal priorities often diverge from the expectations of China and Pakistan, limiting the depth of trilateral cooperation in security and regional integration.