New Delhi: After German Chancellor Angela Merkel, PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday has a 45-minute conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin with a focus on Afghanistan because both parties share assessments and try to coordinate actions to ensure regional security.
India and Russia agreed to establish “bilateral channels” for consultation with Modi Tweeting: “Having a detailed and useful exchange of views with my friend President Putin on the latest developments in Afghanistan.
We also discussed bilateral agenda issues, including India – including Indian Russian cooperation against Covid-19.
We agreed to continue consulting about important problems “.
Modi-Putin’s conversation came on the day when the leaders of the G-7 met virtually to discuss the situation of Afghanistan.
The reading of the Russian Embassy here said, “During the exchange of views on the situation in Afghanistan, the parties recorded the importance of coordinated efforts that would contribute to the formation of peace and stability in this country, ensuring security in the region as a whole.” India and Russia agreed to continue consultation, but both countries came to Afghan’s questions from different positions.
Russia has shed the Taliban openly over the past few years.
How it will be played in the coming months it still has to be seen.
India has refrained from involving the Taliban in a meaningful way, but with the presence of major developments in the country, the question is whether there is involvement.
The conversation coincided with the first NSAS meeting from the BRICS after the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban.
NSA Ajit Doval will get a great idea about how Russia and China work together in Afghanistan.
Reading meeting by MEA said the plan was adopted to further strengthen the mechanism of cooperation in such fields such as financing and fighting terrorism, the internet abuse by terrorists, limiting terrorist travel, border control, soft target protection, information sharing, capacity building and regional cooperation and internationally.
There is a lot of attention to “increasing the risk of growth in production and trade in illegal drugs in the region.” This is also part of a discussion between Modi and Putin who seek to “improve cooperation to fight the spread of terrorist ideology and drug threats from the Afghanistan region.” Kremlin’s statement said Modi “expressed his gratitude to Vladimir Putin for assistance in combating the spread of Covid-19 infection, including the supply and production of Russian vaccines in India, and the delivery of drugs needed and medical equipment.”