India Pushes for A Regional Approach to Atabilise Afghanistan

New Delhi: India is pushing for a regional approach to stabilise Afghanistan and tackle counterterrorism in the region amid relaunch of US-Taliban negotiations for a peace pact.

Deputy national security adviser (NSA) Rajinder Khanna participated in a meet of NSAs from Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan held in Tehran on Wednesday as part of India’s efforts to strive for a regional approach to bring stability in the war-ravaged nation, even as fears of return of Taliban to power have resurfaced.

The core focus of the talks hosted by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council is how to restore durable security in Afghanistan, said people aware of the matter. This year’s meeting will also concentrate on the issue of a comprehensive campaign against foreign sponsored terrorism in Afghanistan, they said.

The participating officials will also hold bilateral talks among themselves on the sidelines of the meet, said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified. The first session of the Regional Security Dialogue in September 2018 was also held in Tehran.

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which border Afghanistan and have huge stakes in the landlocked country, are new attendees for this year’s meeting.

Afghan officials are of opinion that Iran and India have capabilities to help stabilise the country and fight terrorism. India has been in touch with the participants of the dialogue bilaterally on the evolving situation in Afghanistan amid US plans to withdraw troops after a nearly two-decade-old campaign.

Meanwhile, India will host Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif in January as part of its strategy to engage with Iran notwithstanding sanctions slapped by the United States on the West Asian country. During the winter session of Parliament, external affairs ministry informed the Lok Sabha in reply to a question that Iran’s Chabahar Port is functional for trade between India and Afghanistan.

Source: ET

Image Courtesy: The Economic Times