US’s newly appointed Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West is in Delhi after his visit to Pakistan to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. The US envoy met India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh V. Shringla and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
In a tweet, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi wrote: “Foreign Secretary @harshvshringla met US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West @US4AfghanPeace and exchanged views on recent developments and issues of common interest in Afghanistan. -be provided.”
foreign Secretary @harshvshringla Meets with US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West @US4Afghan peace and exchanged views on recent developments and issues of common interest in Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/Pk2rMFeHWF
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) November 16, 2021
While the discussions focused on current developments in Afghanistan, sources said the topics included the recent regional security talks of the NSA on Afghanistan in New Delhi, movement of people in and out of Afghanistan, coordinating global efforts on humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, regional security. issues, and other bilateral and international issues of mutual interest.
India recently held the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan, which saw the participation of security chiefs of five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), Iran and Russia.
Before reaching New Delhi, Ambassador West visited Islamabad from 11-13 November. a Press release The US Embassy in Pakistan said: “At the Extended Troika meetings, participants discussed the way forward on Afghanistan. The West also held bilateral meetings with Pakistani government officials, with both sides basing their commitments on terrorism to the Taliban. Emphasizing the importance of pressing to maintain, the right of free passage for those wishing to leave Afghanistan and the rights of all Afghan citizens, including minorities and women.”
America’s focus has been on the movement of Afghans in and out of the country and on providing humanitarian aid directly to the people.
The visit comes as Secretary of State Antony R. Blinken held a virtual meeting on November 15 with representatives of #AfghanEvac, an umbrella coalition of over 100 self-organized groups of veterans, frontline citizens, social workers, lawyers, advocates, non-profits, members of Congress. employees and private sector employees.
“Secretary Blinken thanked the organizations represented on the call for their tireless work, dedication, and their partnership with the State Department to facilitate relocation efforts. The secretary noted the importance of their voices as leaders to hold the government accountable and highlighted the invaluable ongoing, regular coordination between the state, the Department of Defense and #AfghanEvac,” said State Department spokesman Ned Price.