New Delhi: India is set to host a National Security Advisor (NSA) level regional conference on Afghanistan in New Delhi on Wednesday. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will preside over the talks at the level of National Security Advisors/Secretaries of Security Councils.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the National Security Advisor-level talks on Afghanistan will see the expanded participation of Iran, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, which will be represented by their respective National Security Advisors. Secretary of the Security Councils.
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China has reportedly said that it will not be able to attend the talks due to scheduling issues. Notably, Pakistan had earlier reported its rejection of an invitation to an NSA-level meeting of regional countries being hosted by India.
Officials revealed that there has been an overwhelming response to India’s invitation and added that the high-level participation in the meeting “reflects the wider and growing concern of regional countries regarding the situation in Afghanistan and their willingness to consult and coordinate with each other”. In which India has to play an important role in this process”, according to IANS.
This is the first time that almost all the countries of Central Asia will participate in this meeting.
Why are NSA-level talks on Afghanistan important?
The high level talks will focus on assessing the security situation in the region based on the recent developments in Afghanistan. The officials will consider measures to address relevant security challenges and support the people of Afghanistan in promoting peace, security and stability.
The first two editions of the talks were hosted by Iran in 2018 and 2019. Extremism and bigotry are also of major concern among many participants as they feel that many hotbeds may be affected in their countries which can lead to the spread of ideology, drug trafficking in their societies. Another area of concern remains the use of the vast majority of weapons the US has left.
“The overwhelming response to New Delhi’s initiative also reflects the importance attached to India’s role in regional efforts to promote peace and security in Afghanistan,” an official said.
India has maintained close and friendly relations with the people of Afghanistan and called for an integrated international response to address the security and humanitarian challenges facing Afghanistan. The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that the upcoming meeting is a step in that direction.
Apart from this, India has also played an important role in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021 when US-led international forces were present in the country. India has increased cooperation in major infrastructure projects in the country, including the Parliament House and the Salma Dam, investing $3 billion in various reconstruction activities.
With the Pakistan-backed Taliban taking over Kabul on 15 August, New Delhi has withdrawn its diplomats from the country.
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