'China eyeing Afghan airbase, may use Pak against India'

The US needs to closely watch China as it might try to take over the Bagram air force base in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover of the war-torn country and use Pakistan to get stronger to go against India, a former senior American diplomat has warned.

America’s former envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley said President Joe Biden has lost the trust and confidence of American allies after his hasty decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. She said there are many challenges in front of the US.

The US needs to make sure that Americans are protected and the country’s cybersecurity is strong “because actors like Russia are going to continue to hack us because we show no signs of willingness to fight back, she said.

“We need to watch China because I think you are going to see China make a move for Bagram Air Force Base. I think they are also making a move in Afghanistan and trying to use Pakistan to get stronger to go against India. So, we have got a lot of issues,” she said.

In July, the US military left Bagram Airfield - its key base in Afghanistan - after nearly 20 years. At its height, Bagram base was home to tens of thousands of US troops.

China OK to Russian plan for ‘Extended Troika’ meet

Meanwhile, China on Thursday reacted positively to a Russian proposal to convene a new meeting of the ‘Extended Troika’ on Afghanistan in Kabul - the first such conference since the Taliban seized power last month.