Taliban fighters block road after explosion
India will host the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan on November 10 to discuss the overall security situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban comes to power in the country. The meeting will be presided over by NSA Shri Ajit Doval.
The last two meetings in this format have been held in Iran in September 2018 and December 2019. The third meeting in India could not be held earlier due to the pandemic.
Central Asian countries as well as Russia and Iran have confirmed participation (for the first time all Central Asian countries, not just Afghanistan’s immediate land neighbors, are participating in the format). The encouraging response is an expression of the importance attached to India’s role in regional efforts to promote peace and security in Afghanistan.
China and Pakistan have also been invited and a formal response is awaited. However, Pakistan has indicated through the media that it will not be involved in this.
Pakistan’s decision is unfortunate but not shocking. This reflects his mentality to see Afghanistan as his protector. Pakistan has not attended the previous meetings of this format. His media comments against India are a failed attempt to divert attention from his deadly role in Afghanistan.
The high level participation in next week’s meeting hosted by India reflects the widespread and growing concern of regional countries about the situation in Afghanistan and their willingness to consult and coordinate with each other. India has an important role in this process.
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