Pakistan, China, Iran, Russia oppose US defence base around Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and its key neighbours China and Iran have joined Russia in opposing the establishment of any "military bases in and around Afghanistan ", and called for respect of Kabul's "sovereignty" and "territorial integrity", an official statement said Saturday.

The opposition by the four countries comes as US President Trump seeks a military presence in war-torn Afghanistan. The Fourth Quadripartite Meeting of Foreign Ministers of China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia was held in New York on Thursday on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.