NSA Ajit Doval makes India’s stand on Afghanistan clear at key Moscow meet

India and Russia have further strengthened their ties in recent years. The defence partnership in particular is rock solid

New Delhi, Feb 10: National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval urged for the need to have intensified intelligence and security cooperation between respective countries to deal with outfits such as the Islamic State, Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

Speaking at the 5th Regional Dialogue on Afghanistan, he also said that India will never abandon the people of Afghanistan at their time of need.

NSA Doval pointed to India reaffirming the importance of the UN Security Council resolution which calls for denying sanctuary to terror outfits, including those who designated by the UNSCR 1267.

The multilateral meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils and National Security Advisors was held in Moscow. Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were represented at the meeting.

India's top security official also reiterated India's call not to allow Afghan territory to export terrorism and radicalisation. For the welfare of the people the national resources of Afghanistan must be first utilised, he also said.

Speaking on the role India is playing in Afghanistan, NSA Doval noted New Delhi's historical and special relationship with Kabul. India has so far delivered 40,000 metric tonnes of wheat, 60 tonnes of medicines, 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines, 28 tonnes of disaster relief supplies and winter clothing in the past two years. Fresh scholarships to 2,260 Afghan students including 300 girls have been granted by India, Doval added. While stressing that an inclusive and representative dispensation is in the larger interest of Afghan society, he added that this would continue to guide India's approach.

India will continue to be an important stakeholder in Afghanistan, he also said.

"We always stood by the people of Afghanistan and will always support collective efforts to help the Afghan people build a prosperous and vibrant nation once again," NSA Doval said.

Meeting with Putin:

The NSA also held a meeting with Russian President, Vldamir Putin and held wide-ranging discussion on bilateral and regional issues, India's embassy said in a tweet.

They agreed to continue work towards implementing the India-Russia strategic partnership, the embassy also said.

The meeting took place amidst the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

NSA Doval's visit came three months after external affairs minister S Jaishankar travelled to the country, during which New Delhi and Moscow agreed to expand economic engagement including India's import of petroleum products.

Even as Western nations sanctioned Russia for the ongoing conflict, India's oil exports from Moscow have been a major jump.

India and Russia have also further strengthened defence ties. The chief of BrahMos had said that the western sanctions on Moscow will have no impact.

The BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India and Russia and it specialises in nuclear-capable supersonic missiles.