India will participate in the 6th round of Moscow Format talks on Afghanistan on Friday, looking to renew its engagement with the Taliban whose acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will also attend the meeting. While the world’s attention has been focused on the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts, India’s own regional security priority remains the need to ensure that Afghanistan doesn’t again turn into a haven for terrorists, especially those working for UN proscribed groups like JeM and LeT.
Apart from special envoys of all Central Asian countries, representatives of Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran and India are expected to participate in the Moscow Format dialogue, which was launched in 2017 to address issues related to Afghanistan. Addressing the humanitarian situation, formation of an inclusive and representative government, concerted efforts to counter terrorism and regional security remain high on India’s agenda for Afghanistan.
Ahead of the talks on Friday, the head of the political office of the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’, Suhail Shaheen, told TOI that the Format should not be an instrument of pressure but a vehicle leading to positive communication and engagement between Afghanistan and the world. Under pressure to restore women rights and ensure inclusive government, the Taliban have maintained that they don’t want others to impose on them ``external models of governance’’.
``Moscow Format has made efforts to resolve Afghan issues in the past and it can play an important role in solving the current issues facing Afghanistan like removal of sanctions, reduction in poverty, creation of job opportunities, paving the way for engagement between Afghanistan and the international community in various areas,’’ said Shaheen.
Indian representative, MEA joint secretary JP Singh, is also expected to have a bilateral meeting with Muttaqi and other Taliban officials on the sidelines of the meeting. While India has not officially recognised the Taliban, it has surprised many by establishing a working relationship with the regime in Kabul, owing mainly to its humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan. An Indian “technical team’’ has kept the embassy in Kabul running to oversee distribution of Indian aid, overriding the initial fear and trepidation at the return of the Taliban.
Interestingly, while a UN report recently warned of serious threat from terrorist groups active in Afghanistan, the Taliban have blamed Pakistan for shielding key members of the Islamic State-Khorasan group. A Taliban spokesperson said earlier this week that from bases in Pakistan, the group was orchestrating attacks, both within Afghanistan and in other countries. India sees the remarks as a vindication of its position on Pakistan’s support to cross-border terrorism.
Apart from special envoys of all Central Asian countries, representatives of Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran and India are expected to participate in the Moscow Format dialogue, which was launched in 2017 to address issues related to Afghanistan. Addressing the humanitarian situation, formation of an inclusive and representative government, concerted efforts to counter terrorism and regional security remain high on India’s agenda for Afghanistan.
Ahead of the talks on Friday, the head of the political office of the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’, Suhail Shaheen, told TOI that the Format should not be an instrument of pressure but a vehicle leading to positive communication and engagement between Afghanistan and the world. Under pressure to restore women rights and ensure inclusive government, the Taliban have maintained that they don’t want others to impose on them ``external models of governance’’.
``Moscow Format has made efforts to resolve Afghan issues in the past and it can play an important role in solving the current issues facing Afghanistan like removal of sanctions, reduction in poverty, creation of job opportunities, paving the way for engagement between Afghanistan and the international community in various areas,’’ said Shaheen.
Indian representative, MEA joint secretary JP Singh, is also expected to have a bilateral meeting with Muttaqi and other Taliban officials on the sidelines of the meeting. While India has not officially recognised the Taliban, it has surprised many by establishing a working relationship with the regime in Kabul, owing mainly to its humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan. An Indian “technical team’’ has kept the embassy in Kabul running to oversee distribution of Indian aid, overriding the initial fear and trepidation at the return of the Taliban.
Interestingly, while a UN report recently warned of serious threat from terrorist groups active in Afghanistan, the Taliban have blamed Pakistan for shielding key members of the Islamic State-Khorasan group. A Taliban spokesperson said earlier this week that from bases in Pakistan, the group was orchestrating attacks, both within Afghanistan and in other countries. India sees the remarks as a vindication of its position on Pakistan’s support to cross-border terrorism.
You may also like
How did JD Vance performed in vice-presidential debate? What Donald Trump said
"Congress has joined hands with drug peddlers and the mafia": BJP leader Tarun Chugh
Metro 3 Inauguration To Attending 1st Trials At NMIA, PM Modi Likely To Give Infra Boost To MMR, Thane & Navi Mumbai
Arunachal Pradesh: Govt school headmaster arrested for allegedly sexually harassing girl students
