Chinese initiative: Four-nation counter-terrorism mechanism announced

The Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism (QCCM) in counter-terrorism, came as top military generals from the member nations met in the Chinese city of Urumqi for the inaugural meeting.

“The inaugural high-level meeting on Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism in counterterrorism by Afghanistan-China-Pakistan-Tajikistan armed forces/militaries was held in Urumqi, Xingjian Uygur autonomous region, China, on 3rd August 2016,” ISPR said in a statement.

Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, Chief of General Staff of Afghan National Army Qadam Shah Shahim, Chief of Joint Staff Department of Central Military Commission (CMC) of China General Fang Fenghui, and First Deputy Defence Minister of Tajikistan Major General E. A. Cobidrzoda attended the meeting.

The regional counterterrorism forum said to be a Chinese initiative, but Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif actively contributed to its establishment. He visited Tajikistan and Afghanistan in March for this purpose. His visit to Kabul on that occasion coincided with that of China’s Gen Fang, who was also there for talks on the alliance.

“The participants unanimously agreed that terrorism and extremism are serious threat to regional stability and … reiterated to cooperate for tackling these forces for peace and stability of all member countries,” a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting said.

The forum will coordinate and provide mutual support limited to four countries only in the fields of counter terrorism situation evaluation, clue verification, intelligence sharing, counter terrorism capacity building, counter terrorism joint training exercises and personnel training.

The group, would work through consensus. It was clarified that the mechanism was not targeted against any state or international organisation.