New Delhi, November 10
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has called upon all regional countries to step up consultations and coordination on Afghanistan in order to enhance their collective security.
This is the time for close consultations among us. Greater cooperation, interaction and coordination among the regional countries,” said NSA Doval while opening the ‘Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan’ of eight NSAs here on Wednesday.
“All are keenly watching the developments in the country. These have important implications not just for people of Afghanistan but for its neighbours and the region,” he cautioned, while expressing confidence that the deliberations will be productive, useful and contribute to helping Afghanistan and contribute to collective security in the region.
Russian NSA Nikolai Patrushev said the meeting should consider other relevant issues on its agenda, a suggestion which was noted by NSA Doval. Patrushev felt the recent Moscow format of consultations had laid the foundation for the development of dialogue with the Taliban. The Moscow talks last month involved 10 countries, including India, and a delegation from the Taliban. Indian representatives also met the Taliban team on the sidelines of the Moscow meet and announced humanitarian aid of 50,000 tonnes of wheat.
Though NSA Doval mentioned in passing, several NSAs put the humanitarian crises being faced by Afghanistan upfront rather than terrorism. Patrushev suggested the holding of an international donors’ conference as a step to normalise the situation and ensure stability in the region.
Iranian NSA Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani mentioned “those who were invited but couldn’t make it” in a reference to China and Pakistan, while highlighting the crises of migration, refugees and terrorism. The only solution, he said, is by forming an inclusive government of all ethnic groups.
Kazakh and Kyrgyz NSAs, Karim Massimov and Marat Imankulov prominently flagged the presence of foreign fighters in Afghanistan and the possibility of them targeting their home countries. They also expressed concern over the deteriorating economic situation and called for a collective endeavour to provide aid to the Afghans.
While Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan do not share borders with Afghanistan, Tajikistan, which shares over 1,300 km of border with Afghanistan, said the current situation creates extra the possibility for growth of drug trafficking, terrorism and criminal activity. But the Tajik NSA Nasrullo Mahmudzoda also drew attention to the impending “human catastrophe” especially with the winter about to set in Afghanistan. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan also spoke on the need to usher peace in Afghanistan.
