At the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Afghanistan, representatives from India and Central Asia emphasised the importance of Afghanistan's territory not being used to harbour, train, plan, or finance terrorist attacks. They also reiterated the fact that no terrorist groups, including those named in UNSC resolution 1267, should be given sanctuary or be permitted to use Afghanistan's territory.
Moreover, India said that it would provide 20,000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar Port in cooperation with the UNWFP. Using the land route with Pakistan, India has already given Afghanistan close to 50,000 MT of wheat.
According to a joint statement, the meeting highlighted the significance of creating a governmental framework that is really inclusive and representative, respects the rights of all Afghans, and guarantees equal rights for women, girls, and members of minority groups, including access to education. It discussed regional threats of terrorism, extremism, radicalsation and drug trafficking and also deliberated on the possibilities to coordinate efforts to counter these threats.
“Country representative of the UNODC in Afghanistan highlighted the partnership of India and UNODC in fighting the menace of narcotics in Afghanistan and thanked India for providing humanitarian aid for the Afghan drug user population,” said the government in a statement. “Upon their request, India offered capacity building training courses for the relevant stakeholders/partner agencies of UNODC and the relevant officials/stakeholders of Central Asian Republics in the field of countering illegal drug trafficking,” it added.