NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval calls for an inclusive government in Afghanistan and to enhance the capability of the country to counter-terror and terror groups that pose a threat to regional peace and security.
Doval was participating in a security dialogue on Afghanistan along with counterparts from Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and China in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
NSA Doval also underscored the need for proper representation of all sections of Afghan society including women and minorities.
He said that India firmly believes that if inclusive governance can be implemented in Afghanistan, the Afghan population “would be motivated to contribute to nation-building” at the time of the worst-hit crisis.
Doval also raised the issue of education for girls and the employment of women and youth. He said that the foremost priority should be the right to life and a dignified living as well as the protection of human rights for all.
Doval said that the Regional Dialogue members can empower the citizens of Afghanistan to “build a prosperous and vibrant nation once again”.
Doval also reiterated India’s commitment to Afghanistan and contribution to several development and infrastructure initiatives across the country.
After the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021, India sent 17,000 metric tonnes of wheat out of a total commitment of 50,000 metric tonnes, 5,00,000 doses of Covaxin, 13 tonnes of essential life-saving medicines and winter clothing as well as 60 million doses of polio vaccine as humanitarian aid. Doval mentioned that the assistance should be accessible to all the needy Afghans.
The meeting in Dushanbe is a follow up of the Third Regional Security Dialogue, convened by the National Security Council in New Delhi in November 2021. The first two editions of the Regional Security Dialogue took place in Tehran, Iran.
No representative from China and Pakistan, however, turned up at the Regional Security Dialogue in New Delhi in November last year.