India is set to host the NSA-level meeting – ‘Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan’ – on Wednesday to discuss a range of issues, including terrorism and radicalisation.
The security dialogue will be attended by top security officials of seven countries, including Iran, Russia and all five central Asian countries.
The focus of the dialogue will be formulating a common strategy to ensure cooperation in dealing with the rising challenges of terrorism, radicalisation and drug trafficking following the Afghan crisis.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India has traditionally enjoyed close and friendly ties with the people of Afghanistan and has called for a unified international response to address the security and humanitarian challenges facing Afghanistan. “The forthcoming meeting is a step in that direction,” it said in a statement.
The security officials are scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will hold bilateral meetings with his visiting counterparts.
Iran, Russia and all five central Asian countries, including Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, have confirmed their participation for the dialogue.
However, China and Pakistan, who were also invited to the meet communicated to India that they would not attend it.
Iran will be represented by Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Secretary, Supreme National Security Council, while Nikolai P Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council will represent Russia.
Kazakhstan will send Chairman of National Security Committee Karim Massimov while Marat Mukanovich Imankulov, Secretary of the Security Council of Kyrgyz Republic will represent Kyrgyzstan.
Nasrullo Rahmatjon Mahmudzoda, Secretary, Security Council of Tajikistan and Charymyrat Kakalyyevvich Amavov, Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan on Security and Secretary, State Security Council will represent their respective countries.
Several issues related to the security situation in Afghanistan are likely to come up for deliberation at the meeting.
The sources said there is a “very high degree of convergence” among the participating countries on the security implications of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, PTI reported.
The security officials are expected to discuss the threat emerging from the military equipment and weapons left behind by the US forces in Afghanistan and cross-border movement of people from the country.
The MEA said that the high-level dialogue will review the security situation in the region arising from recent developments in Afghanistan.
The meeting will also deliberate upon measures to address the relevant security challenges and support the people of Afghanistan in promoting peace, security and stability.
