New Delhi: Even when supporting a stronger role for India in the Afghan peace process, Russia has not decided on Indian participation in expanded Troika format involving us, China, Russia and Pakistan.
This group promotes settlement negotiated with a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire.
After Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s last week in Tashkent that Moscow was considering Indian and Iranian participation in the format, the special envoy of President Vladimir Putin for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said India could not join the group because “has no effect with the Taliban”.
“Expanded Troika format …
held exclusively to facilitate the launch of intra-afghanistan talks that lead to the National Accord.
Only countries that have a firm influence on both parties (conflict) participate,” said Kabulov in Moscow on Tuesday.
Kabulov, according to Russian Agency Tass, said that India-Pakistan’s “contradiction” was “projected” in the Afghan situation.
“Indians suspect Pakistan seeks to use Afghanistan as a strategic back (sic).
Pakistan suspects India wants to use the Afghanistan region to endanger Pakistani interests,” he said.
Asked about Kabulov’s comments, diplomatic sources said he intended to say that the format remained unchanged because Moscow had not taken his adaption in Indian participation.
Reacting to media questions, the Embassy said that “Dedicated Cooperation” of Russia with India as an active participant in dialogue mechanisms on Afghanistan issues and “special and special strategic partners is a natural, trusted and forward-minded partner”.