National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has stated that India will never abandon the Afghan people in their hour of need, and that the well-being and humanitarian needs of the Afghan people are India’s top priority, according to a report.
On Wednesday, Ajit Doval, who attended the fifth Multilateral Meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils and National Security Advisers on Afghanistan in Moscow, reiterated the need for an inclusive and representative government in Kabul, as well as collective efforts to combat terrorism. According to the report, Doval stated that no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism, and that Afghanistan’s natural resources should be used first and foremost for the benefit of its people.
Apart from Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were represented at the meeting.
Various issues related to Afghanistan were discussed, including the security situation and humanitarian challenges facing the country.
According to reports, Doval said that Afghanistan is passing through a difficult phase and noted that India has historical and special relationship with Afghanistan.
Noting that “well being and humanitarian needs of people of Afghanistan is India’s foremost priority”, he said this will continue to guide the government’s approach and “India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need”.
Focusing on food security and medical supplies, India has so far delivered 40,000 MT of wheat, 60 tonnes of medicines, 500,000 Covid vaccines, winter clothing and 28 tonnes of disaster relief, the sources said. India’s technical team is overseeing humanitarian assistance programme.
In solidarity with Afghans, India has provided new scholarships to 2260 Afghan students, including 300 Afghan girls, over the last two years.
According to sources, Doval stated that an inclusive and representative regime is in the best interests of Afghan society.
Terrorism has become a major threat in the region, according to him, and dealing with “Daesh and terror outfits like LeT and JeM requires intensified intelligence and security cooperation” between respective states and their agencies.
India reaffirmed the significance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2593 (2021), which calls for terror organisations, including those named in UNSCR 1267, to be denied sanctuary in the region.
Sources said Doval noted that “no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism and radicalisation”.
The NSA said India is and will remain an important stakeholder in Afghanistan. He said India always stood by people of Afghanistan and will always support collective efforts to help Afghan people build a prosperous and vibrant nation once again.
The Embassy of India in Russia said in a tweet that NSA Doval stressed the well-being and humanitarian needs of Afghans.
“NSA Ajit Doval participated in the 5th Multilateral Security Dialogue on Afghanistan in Moscow. Stressed the well-being and humanitarian needs of Afghans. He said India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need,” the Indian embassy said.
“He reiterated the call for an inclusive and representative government in Afghanistan and need for collective efforts to fight terrorism,” it added.
In November 2021, the third round of the Multilateral Security Dialogue on Afghanistan was held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of NSA Ajit Doval. In May 2022, the fourth meeting will be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
