To counter India’s Afghan conference, Pakistan hurriedly invites the Taliban, US, Russia and China for a Troika + meet

<p>
A day after New Delhi’s hosting the Afghan conference, Pakistan is holding a hurriedly called Troika Plus meeting which will be held on November 11. The Afghanistan conference in India is hosted by Indian National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) headed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval which will be attended by seven countries including Russia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Pakistan and China have decided to skip the conference. The main focus of the NSAs meeting is to “review the security situation in the region arising from recent developments in Afghanistan. It will deliberate upon measures to address the relevant security challenges and support the people of Afghanistan in promoting peace, security and stability,”</p>
<p>
Instead, Pakistan has hastily called for a Troika Plus meeting  where special Representatives for Afghanistan from the United States, China, Russia and Pakistan will be meeting on Thursday  in Islamabad and according to Geo News. The interim foreign minister of Taliban regime Amir Khan Muttaqi will be taking part in this meeting.</p>
<p>
Earlier Dawn had reported that Muttaqi would be visiting  Pakistan on November 10. But there was no mention of Troika Plus meeting then. Even Chinese state affiliated Global Times called Muttaqi’s visit to Pakistan as  “a step toward recognition of legitimacy as part of efforts by both sides to reset their ties in the wake of the Taliban's takeover of Kabul.”</p>
<p>
According to Pakistani sources, consultations were on for the meeting but the final date was decided on Monday. Muttaqi’s visit is consequently extended by a day or two,</p>
<p>
According to the Pakistani envoy in Kabul, Muttaqi will be leading a high-power delegation to discuss bilateral issues like measures for strengthening bilateral trade, transit, movement of people and humanitarian engagement.</p>
<p>
Pakistan has still not recognised the Taliban government in Afghanistan but steps are being taken in that direction. Recently, Pakistan quietly allowed a Taliban envoy and diplomats to take charge of the Afghanistan embassy in Islamabad as well consulates in Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta.</p>
<p>
Though it has not officially recognized the Taliban regime, it has been concertedly stepping up  engagement with it. But Pakistan faces a credibility issue, and its call for the world to engage with the Taliban have very few takers. </p>
<p>
It has been three months since the Taliban captured power, but the country, by all indications remains ungovernable. Amid the intensified attacks by the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), the world is worried that  Afghanistan can once again become the safe haven for terrorism. The world is especially concerned about the takeover of the county by the notorious Haqqani network, which is backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Pakistan’s secret deal with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) with the help of the interior minister of Taliban regime and chief of HQN Sirajuddin Haqqani has further raised doubts about Afghanistan’s lurch towards terrorism, drug trafficking and kidnappings on an industrial scale.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/latest-news/india-to-host-delhi-regional-security-dialogue-on-afghanistan-on-nov-126938.html">India to host Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan on Nov 10</a></strong></p>