NEW DELHI: In a bid to addresses a humanitarian crisis and discuss the evolving situation in Afghanistan, India has reportedly proposed to host an in-person meeting of the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of key stakeholder countries, including Russia and archrivals Pakistan and China, Indian media reported.
According to India Today, India has proposed two dates – November 10 and 11 – for the NSA meeting in its capital. The invitation has been extended to Pakistan’s NSA Moeed Yusuf amid increased tensions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).
The report quoted sources privy to the development as saying that all stakeholders have to be engaged to defuse the impending humanitarian and security crises in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul.
Meanwhile, India will participate in the Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan on October 20, India’s Ministry of External Affairs was reported as saying on Thursday by the publication.
On any humanitarian assistance India is extending or has extended to Afghanistan, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India’s policy towards Kabul was guided by its friendship with the Afghan people.
Earlier this month, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla had said that India was willing to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and that it has engaged with the representatives of Taliban in Doha.
“We are willing to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and we have been a constructive partner in the development of the country, before the Taliban took over, investing over $3 billion,” the foreign secretary had said.
The development comes at a time when fears were growing in New Delhi that the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan could ignite the freedom movement in IoK. About 40 people were killed in shootings and clashes in the two months in the Himalayan region since the Taliban overran Kabul.
Occupied valley’s Sikh and Hindu communities have been targeted in the gun battles in which many soldiers and separatists were also left dead. India has not openly blamed the Taliban takeover for the uptick in violence, but it has intensified patrols near Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and fortified some army camps.
