New DelhiNational Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Friday made a strong stand for the need to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan and tackle the risks of terrorism emanating from the region. The issue was being discussed during Doval’s meeting with regional counterparts in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Interestingly, Pakistan’s NSA, Moeed Yusuf, was missing from the meeting – the fourth regional security dialogue on Afghanistan – attended by the NSAs of Tajikistan, India, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan and China.
Sources in the defense and security establishment said the meeting carried forward discussions held during the third regional security dialogue on Afghanistan held in New Delhi in November 2021.
The first two rounds were held in Tehran in 2018 and 2019. India was to host the meeting in 2020, but it was postponed due to the COVID pandemic.
“Taking forward the spirit enshrined in the Delhi Declaration, the NSA discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the region,” a source said.
The sources said all the NSAs highlighted the need to find constructive ways to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan and counter the risk from terrorism emanating from the region.
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‘Countries should ensure that Afghanistan does not become a terrorist stronghold’
According to sources Doval stressed that India stands with the Afghan people and pointed out that since August 2021, India has already contributed 17,000 metric tonnes of wheat (total commitment of 50,000 metric tonnes), 5,00,000 doses of Covaxin, 13 Have given. Tons of life-saving medicines and winter clothing, and 60 million doses of the polio vaccine.
Sources said Doval met his counterparts from Iran, Tajikistan, Russia and other participants in the talks on the occasion.
Sources said the NSA insisted that all countries should come together to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a terror hub, which will have a direct impact on stability in the region.
The Delhi Declaration in November last year had emphasized that the territory of Afghanistan should not be used for harboring, training, planning or financing any terrorist act.
Apart from the rights of Afghan citizens, especially women and minorities, the Taliban’s occupation of the country has been a primary concern for India.
India has already closed its diplomatic missions in Afghanistan, which the Taliban want to reopen.
(Edited by Polomi Banerjee)
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