PM Narendra Modi Speaks To Security Heads Of Seven Nations After Delhi Dialogue On Afghanistan

PM Narendra Modi emphasised four aspects that countries in the region would need to focus on, in the context of Afghanistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NSA Ajit Doval with the security heads of seven countries in New Delhi. (Photo Courtesy: PIB/PMO)

New Delhi: The Heads of the National Security Councils of seven nations collectively on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the completion of the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan that took place in the national capital earlier today. 

The conference was hosted by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

According to an official statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the senior security officers, representing the nations of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, expressed their appreciation of India’s initiative in organising the Dialogue and of the quality of the exchanges. 

In their comments to PM Modi, they also conveyed the perspectives of their respective countries on the Afghan situation. 

Prime Minister appreciated the participation of the senior dignitaries in the Delhi Security Dialogue despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, PMO stated. 

PM Modi emphasised four aspects that countries in the region would need to focus on, in the context of Afghanistan. These include the need for an inclusive government, a zero-tolerance stance about Afghan territory being used by terrorist groups, a strategy to counter trafficking of drugs and arms from Afghanistan, and addressing the increasingly critical humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. 

He also expressed hope that the Regional Security Dialogue would work to revive Central Asia’s traditions of moderation and progressive culture, and counter extremist tendencies. 

“The NSAs had a very substantive exchange during their call on the PM. PM shared India’s perspective on Afghanistan,” official sources said, as reported by news agency ANI. 

They stated that there was an extraordinary degree of convergence on the assessments of the situation in Afghanistan and principal challenges in the war-torn country along with the region. 

These included the security situation, heightened risk of terrorism and the impending humanitarian crisis.

As per the sources, the NSAs noted the need to provide humanitarian assistance and emphasised that the land and air routes should be made available and no one should impede the process.

It was also reported that the Dialogue exceeded India’s expectations. 

“The NSAs easily arrived at a complete consensus, which enabled to issue the joint Delhi Declaration. Every delegation was appreciative of the timing of the event and the opportunity to engage in frank and open discussions,” official sources said, as reported by ANI.

“Every country has an opportunity to put across their views in a forthright manner. This is the only dialogue at the level of NSAs and there was complete unanimity on the need to continue this process and have regular consultations,” they added.

Delhi Declaration

At the end of the India-hosted security dialogue on Afghanistan, security officials came out with a declaration reaffirming that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning, or financing terrorist activities.

The Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan expressed concern over the deteriorating socio-economic and humanitarian situation in the war-torn country and stressed the need to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, news agency PTI reported.

In his opening remarks, NSA Ajit Doval said that the recent developments in Afghanistan have important implications not only for Afghan people but also for the region.

“We all have been keenly watching the developments in that country. These have important implications not only for the people of Afghanistan but also for its neighbours and the region,” the National Security Advisor said, as quoted by PTI.

“This is the time for close consultation amongst us, greater cooperation and interaction and coordination among the regional countries,” he added.

In the declaration, officials reiterated strong support for a peaceful, secure, and stable Afghanistan while emphasising the respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs.

It was stated that they also expressed deep concern over the suffering of the Afghan people arising from the security situation and condemned the terrorist attacks in Kunduz, Kandahar and Kabul.

They specifically stressed that Afghan territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist acts.

The need for forming an open and truly inclusive government that represents the will of all the people of Afghanistan and has representation from all sections of their society, including major ethnopolitical forces in the country was also emphasised.

Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan had attended the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan.

China and Pakistan were also invited but both countries decided not to attend it.

(With Inputs From Agencies)