New Delhi: The heads of the national security councils of seven countries collectively called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday after the completion of regional security talks on Afghanistan held in the national capital earlier today.
The conference was hosted by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
According to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), senior security officials representing the nations of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan appreciated India’s initiative in organizing the talks. quality of exchanges.
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In his remarks to PM Modi, he also conveyed the perspective of their respective countries on the Afghan situation.
The PMO said that the Prime Minister appreciated the participation of senior dignitaries in the Delhi Security Dialogue despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
In the context of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Modi emphasized four aspects that countries in the region would need to focus on. These include the need for an inclusive government, a zero-tolerance stance regarding Afghan territory being used by terrorist groups, a strategy to counter the smuggling of drugs and weapons from Afghanistan, and addressing the increasingly important humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Is.
They also expressed the hope that the regional security dialogue would work to address Central Asia’s traditions of restraint and progressive culture and counter extremist tendencies.
“Very important exchanges took place between the NSAs during their meeting with the PM. The PM shared India’s view on Afghanistan,” said official sources, as reported by news agency ANI.
He said there was an extraordinary level of convergence on the assessment of the situation in Afghanistan and the region as well as the major challenges in the war-torn country.
These included the security situation, the growing threat of terrorism and the imminent humanitarian crisis.
According to sources, the NSA took note of the need to provide humanitarian assistance and emphasized that land and air routes should be provided and no one should obstruct the process.
It was also pointed out that the talks exceeded India’s expectations.
“NSA easily reached a complete consensus, which enabled the issuance of the Joint Delhi Declaration. Each delegation was appreciating the timing of the incident and the opportunity to engage in a frank and open discussion,” said official sources, as reported by ANI.
“Every country has an opportunity to put forth its views clearly. This is the only dialogue at the NSA level and there was complete consensus on the need to continue this process and have regular consultations.
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Delhi Declaration
At the end of the security talks conducted by India on Afghanistan, security officials reaffirmed with a declaration that the territory of Afghanistan should not be used to shelter, train, plan or finance terrorist activities.
The Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan expressed concern over the deteriorating socio-economic and humanitarian situation in the war-torn country and stressed the need to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, news agency PTI reported.
In his inaugural address, NSA Ajit Doval said that the recent developments in Afghanistan have significant implications not only for the Afghan people but also for the region.
“We are all keenly watching the developments in that country. This has important implications not only for the people of Afghanistan but also for its neighbors and the region,” the National Security Advisor was quoted as saying by PTI.
“It is time for closer consultations between us, greater cooperation and dialogue and coordination between regional countries,” he said.
In the declaration, officials reiterated strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan, while emphasizing respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and non-interference in its internal affairs.
It said that he also expressed deep concern at the suffering of the Afghan people arising out of the security situation and condemned the terrorist attacks in Kunduz, Kandahar and Kabul.
He specifically emphasized that Afghan territory should not be used for harboring, training, planning or financing any terrorist act.
There was also an emphasis on the need to create an open and truly inclusive government that represents the will of all the people of Afghanistan and that includes all sections of their society, including the country’s major ethnic political forces.
Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan.
China and Pakistan were also invited but both the countries decided not to attend.
(with inputs from agencies)
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