New Delhi: India will host Russian security officials, Iran and five Central Asian countries for security dialogue in Afghanistan on Wednesday which will explore the general approach to practical cooperation in handling the threat of terrorism, radicalization and drug trafficking after the Afghanistan crisis.
Sources say China is invited to ‘Delhi Regional Security dialogue in Afghanistan’ but has been communicated to India that it will not be able to attend a meeting due to the temporary scheduling problem also decided to miss it.
The dialogue that will be chaired by NSA Ajit Doval will be attended by security officials for Kazakhstan, Kirgistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
These sources say there is a “very high level of convergence” between eight countries participating about the security implications of the Taliban Afghanistan takers and the focus of dialogue is to have cooperation with the practical provisions to handle challenges.
They said security officials were expected to negotiate on the cross-border movements of people from Afghanistan and threats that emerged from military equipment and weapons left by US forces in the country.
The external ministry said the dialogue would witness the extension of Iranian participation, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and these countries will be represented by their respective NSA or their Security Council Secretary.
“High-level dialogue will review the security situation in the region arising from the latest developments in Afghanistan.
This will be intentional to the steps to address relevant security challenges and support the Afghan community in promoting peace, security and stability,” he said in a statement.
MEA said India traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relationships with Afghans and called for an integrated international response to address the security and humanitarian challenges facing Afghanistan.
“The upcoming meeting is a step in that direction,” he said.
These sources say no participating countries have recognized the Taliban and they all have similar concerns over the situation in Afghanistan.
They said there was a credibility gap between Pakistan’s actions and intentions in Afghanistan.
These sources said Iran would be represented by Admiral behind Ali Shamkhani, Secretary, the highest National Security Council, while Russia sent Nikolai P Patrushev, Security Council secretary.
They said Kazakhstan’s Chairman of Karim Massimov National Security Committee would represent his country while Kyrgyzstan sent Mukanovich Imankulov, Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgystan Republic.
Nasrullo Rahmatjon Mahmudzoda, Secretary, Tajikistan Security Council and Charymyrat Kakalyevvich Amavov, Deputy Chairperson of the Cabinet of the Minister of Turkmenistan concerning Security and Secretary, the State Security Council will represent each country.
Security officials are scheduled together to call Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Doval will have a bilateral meeting with his visiting colleagues.