Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism: Doval, NSAs of 7 nations adopt declaration
PTI
Afghan territory must not be used for terror activities, a joint declaration adopted by eight countries asserted on Wednesday. The declaration was a result of the Third Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan held in New Delhi.
Hosted by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, the Dialogue witnessed participation from Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. New Delhi had also invited China and Pakistanto join the talks, but the two countries chose not to accept the invitation.
In addition to specifying that the situation in Afghanistan could impact regional security, the declaration goes on to call for an open and inclusive government in Kabul.
The declaration clearly specifies that Afghan territory must not be used for “sheltering, training, planning or financing” terrorist activities. It also condemns the recent terrorist attacks in Kunduz, Kandahar and Kabul.
Without naming Pakistan, the declaration goes further to state that all eight countries support non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.
In his opening remarks, NSA Doval reportedly said, “We all have been keenly watching the developments in that country. These have important implications not only for the people of Afghanistan but also for its neighbours and the region.”
“This is the time for close consultation amongst us, greater cooperation and interaction and coordination among the regional countries,” he added.
The eight countries also expressed “deep concern” over the suffering of the Afghan people following the Taliban takeover in August of this year. They also underlined the need to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
In addition, the declaration calls for “collective cooperation against the menace of radicalization, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking” in the region.
India, Iran, Russia and the five Central Asian countries also stressed the need to form an “open and truly inclusive government that represents the will” of all of the Afghan people.
Referring to the United Nations Resolutions on Afghanistan, participants of the Delhi Dialogue reiterated that the UN has a key role to play in Afghanistan and its presence in the country must be “preserved”.
The member nations also emphasised that the “fundamental rights of women, children and minority communities” must not be violated.
In conclusion, the participants agreed to hold the next round of the regional dialogue in 2022.
