In a major statement, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval asserted on Wednesday that India will never abandon the people of Afghanistan and put on record New Delhi’s inclusive and generous support touching all sections of the strife-torn nation.
Speaking in Moscow at the fifth regional dialogue on Afghanistan, NSA Doval pointed out that India has so far delivered 40,000 MT of wheat, 60 tons of medicines, 500,000 Covid vaccines, winter clothing and 28 tons of disaster relief.
India’s technical team which has been positioned in the Indian embassy in Kabul is overseeing New Delhi’s humanitarian assistance programme. Standing tall in solidarity with the Afghan people, India has granted fresh scholarships to 2260 Afghan students including 300 Afghan girls during the past two years.
🇷🇺 #Moscow: NSA Ajit Doval speaks at the 5th Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan on Wednesday.
“🇮🇳 #India welcomes a constructive dialogue on the situation in Afghanistan, which is crucial for the security of the entire region.” pic.twitter.com/j9tmIkPZWM
— Resonant News🌍 (@Resonant_News) February 9, 2023
In an obvious message to the Taliban, Doval stressed in a veiled reference to Pakistan that “no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism and radicalisation”.
He also pointed out that the natural resources of Afghanistan should be utilised first for the welfare of the people of Afghanistan. The remark assumes importance as China has already shown considerable interest in tapping Afghanistan’s natural resources.
Besides, the Chinese have stated their intent to extend the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. Starting at Gwadar, the CPEC passes through Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) before terminating at Kashgar in the Xinjiang region.
NSA Doval spotlighted that terrorism has become a major threat in the region. Dealing with Daesh and terror outfits like LeT and JeM requires intensified intelligence and security cooperation between respective States and its agencies.
Beijing welcomes Afghanistan’s active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure plan proposed by China, and is willing to push for extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday pic.twitter.com/9QtVwl3eaU
— Strategic Vision Institute (@SVI_Pakistan) March 27, 2022
India reaffirmed the importance of UNSCR 2593 (2021) that calls for terror outfits including those designated by UNSCR 1267 to be denied sanctuary in the region. Both the LeT and JeM have Pakistani roots.
Also Read: NSA Doval calls for terror-free Central Asia by starving extremists of funds
