India will be attending the “new Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan” to be held on 29 September in Russia’s city Kazan. There is no confirmation as of now on who will be representing New Delhi at the conference. However, sources told The Daily Guardian that a senior diplomat will likely be sent to attend the meeting in the Russian city. According to sources, during the meeting, India will send out a strong message to the Taliban over the issue of growing terror activities from Afghanistan. Moreover, the Indian side will voice concern over the humanitarian issues and challenges to address them at the conclave.
The meeting will pitch for creation of an “inclusive government” in Afghanistan that represents the interests of all sections and ethnic groups of Afghan society. Sources in the Russian embassy confirmed India’s participation in the meeting on Afghanistan on September 29. However, there is no confirmation about whether or not Pakistan will send its representative to the conference.
“India is set to talk tough on terrorism being harboured and patronized by the Taliban in Afghanistan. New Delhi will also highlight the regional security challenges due to some countries (Pakistan) supporting terror outfits. India will in no uncertain terms ask the Taliban to fulfill their commitments to eradicate terrorism and drug trafficking emanating from their territory,” diplomatic sources told The Daily Guardian. Sources further said that the Indian government is not satisfied with the performance of the Taliban so far on the issue of addressing the human sufferings in Afghanistan. The Taliban would be asked to take more credible and visible steps against all terror organisations. They will be asked to fight firmly against them and dismantle terror camps operating from Afghan soil, sources said.
The Indian side will participate in the Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan to be held in September and will participate in the deliberations, MEA sources said. Russia has been holding the ‘Moscow Format’ of talks since 2017 to address Afghan issues. Several rounds of talks have been held in Moscow since 2017. Undoubtedly, India’s policy towards Afghanistan is guided by its friendship with the Afghan people. India has in the past provided assistance both for infrastructure as well as for humanitarian purposes.
The Indian representative is going to speak out on terrorism in what will be a strong message to the rulers of Afghanistan, sources said. The message will also be for Pakistan on terrorism at the meeting. India is likely to say that no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism. NSA Ajit Doval during a meeting on Afghanistan in February this year said that India would never abandon the people of Afghanistan in their time of need. This statement should be seen in the context of preparation that India is making ahead of the upcoming meeting in Russia. In an address at a Multilateral Security Dialogue on Afghanistan in Moscow in February, Doval said that an inclusive and representative dispensation in Kabul is in the larger interest of the Afghan society. Well-being and humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan is India’s foremost priority and it will continue to guide New Delhi’s approach towards that country, sources said.