Chandigarh – In an important development, the U.S. has formed a Quad with Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

A release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Afghanistan government reads: “Representatives of the United States, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed in principle to establish a new quadrilateral diplomatic platform focused on enhancing regional connectivity”.

“The parties consider long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan critical to regional-connectivity and agree that peace and regional connectivity and mutually reinforcing”, reads the statement.

The statement/release further reads: “Recognizing the historic opportunity to open flourishing international trade routes, the parties intend to cooperate to expand trade, build transit links and strengthen business-to-business ties. The parties agreed to meet in the coming months to determine the modalities of this cooperation with mutual consensus”.