A strong focus on delivering Afghanistan from terrorism, a call for a truly inclusive government that represents the will of the people, and unimpeded humanitarian assistance formed the core of the “complete consensus” that India’s regional NSA-level conference arrived at in the form of a “Delhi Declaration”.
The declaration emphasised that the Taliban-ruled country’s territory should not be used for “sheltering, training, planning or financing” any act of terrorism while reiterating support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan. It was significant that Russia and Iran are signatories to the unambiguous declaration. Both nations were initially seen as receptive to Taliban given their animosities with the US, but have subsequently been more guarded in their responses. With several nations sharing concerns about terrorist groups active in Afghanistan and their benefactors, the declaration also stressed on respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in the country’s internal affairs.
The conference, chaired by India’s national security adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, saw participants discussing the evolving security situation in Afghanistan and its regional and global implications while calling for efforts to ensure the country didn’t turn into a safe haven for global terrorism. Official sources said the participating countries acknowledged India’s concerns on crossborder terrorism perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups and shared concerns of an Afghanistan under Taliban exporting radicalism and violence.
According to sources, the participants also stressed that no one should boycott the NSA dialogue process due to any “bilateral agenda”. Both China and Pakistan had turned down India’s invitation to the conference.
The NSAs also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and were said to have had a substantive exchange with him as the PM shared India’s perspective on Afghanistan. The conference is an effort by India to remain engaged in Afghanistan and seek commonalities with other nations post the installation of a Pakistan-backed and-supported regime in Kabul.
“The sides paid special attention to the current political situation in Afghanistan and threats arising from terrorism, radicalisation and drug trafficking as well as the need for humanitarian assistance,” said the declaration issued shortly after the conference attended by seven countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan besides Russian and Iran - apart from India. The conference is seen as an important step made by India to underline its role in regional efforts for peace and stability. Russia, as Doval said in his opening remarks, was the initiator of the idea for a conference.
According to the declaration, the countries stressed on the necessity of forming an open and truly inclusive government that represented the will of all the people of Afghanistan and had representation from all sections of their society, including major “ethno-political forces” in the country.
The conference emphasised that the fundamental rights of women, children and minority communities are not violated and expressed concern over the deteriorating socio-economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, while underlining the need to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Afghans.
