INDIA-AFGHANISTAN RELATIONS

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Context

• Recently held 4^th Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan was attended by India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval.

4^th Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan

• The dialogue was attended by NSA Doval’s counterparts from China, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India hosted the third edition of the dialogue in November 2021.
• The senior security officials highlighted the need to find constructive ways to ensure peace and stability in the war-torn country and combat the risks of terrorism emanating from the region
• India’s stand
  • India called for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan and the strengthening of the war-torn country’s capability to counter-terrorism and terror groups that pose a threat to regional peace and security.
  • India highlighted the need for representation of all sections of Afghan society, including women and minorities, so that the collective energies of the largest possible proportion of the Afghan population feel motivated to contribute to nation-building.
  • Doval made it clear that India was and is an important stakeholder in Afghanistan and the country’s special relationship with the Afghan people over centuries will guide its approach to the situation. Whereas the role of women and youth is critical for the future of society, and the provision of education to girls and employment of women and youngsters will ensure productivity and spur growth.
  • Humanitarian assistance should be accessible to all, and respect for all obligations under international humanitarian law should be ensured

Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan

• After the withdrawal of US forces and the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, with India’s stake in the region, has taken the initiative to organise a conference of regional stakeholders and important powers on the country’s current situation and future outlook.
• India’s top security establishment, the National Security Council Secretariat, has taken the lead in organising the in-person meeting and invited Afghanistan’s neighbours such as Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and other key players including Russia, and China.
• India hosted the 3^rd meeting on security dialogue and adopted the Delhi Declaration.

Delhi Declaration

• The eight participating nations adopted the Delhi Declaration as an outcome of the security dialogue.
  • Emphasized strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan while stressing the respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs.
  • Expressed concern for the suffering of the people of Afghanistan emanating from the precarious security situation there and also condemned the terrorist attacks that took place in the region.
  • Stressed that the territory of Afghanistan should not be used for harbouring, nurturing or financing any terrorist activity.
  • Condemned all terrorist activities and reaffirmed their staunch commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including its financing, the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and countering radicalization, to assure that Afghanistan would never become a haven for global terrorism.
  • Called for cooperation to fight radicalization, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking in the region.
  • Emphasized the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan that would be truly representative of all the different factions and sections of Afghan society.
  • Stressed the important role played by the United Nations in the region and said that its continued presence there is warranted.
  • Reiterated that the fundamental rights of women, children and minorities are maintained.
  • Stressed the need to continue giving humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan in a non-discriminatory manner.
  • Reiterated the importance of their dialogue and agreed to remain engaged with each other in the future.

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