India has said that it is active and regular contact with countries like Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia when it comes to Afghan Peace Process.&nbsp;

Replying to a question on Afghanistan at the weekly ministry of external affairs briefing Raveesh Kumar said, "We are not only closely following the development which is related to peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. I must add, we are active and in regular contact with all other stakeholders including Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia."

India also expects Afghanistan to be discussed at the "level of the foreign minister" in the next Russia-India-China (RIC) meet by the end of this month adding, New Delhi "will continue to take all necessary steps to bring peace and stability in the region." &nbsp;&nbsp;

Last week United States special envoy on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad met Indian Ambassador to US Harsh Shringla and briefed about US efforts in the region. In the month of January, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Samarkand, Uzbekistan for the 1st India Central Asia Dialogue in which situation in the south Asian country.

On February 18, at the formal invitation of the government of Pakistan, Taliban will be meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and according to the spokesperson of the group, will "hold comprehensive discussions about Pakistan-Afghan relations and issues pertaining to Afghan refugees and Afghan businessmen."

India has said that it is active and regular contact with countries like Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia when it comes to Afghan Peace Process. Replying to a question on Afghanistan at the weekly ministry of external affairs briefing Raveesh Kumar said, "We are not only closely following the development which is related to peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan.

India has said that it is active and regular contact with countries like Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia when it comes to Afghan Peace Process. Replying to a question on Afghanistan at the weekly ministry of external affairs briefing Raveesh Kumar said, "We are not only closely following the development which is related to peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. I must add, we are active and in regular contact with all other stakeholders including Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia." India also expects Afghanistan to be discussed at the "level of the foreign minister" in the next Russia-India-China (RIC) meet by the end of this month adding, New Delhi "will continue to take all necessary steps to bring peace and stability in the region." Last week United States special envoy on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad met Indian Ambassador to US Harsh Shringla and briefed about US efforts in the region. In the month of January, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Samarkand, Uzbekistan for the 1st India Central Asia Dialogue in which situation in the south Asian country. On February 18, at the formal invitation of the government of Pakistan, Taliban will be meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and according to the spokesperson of the group, will "hold comprehensive discussions about Pakistan-Afghan relations and issues pertaining to Afghan refugees and Afghan businessmen."

Afghan peace process: India in touch with Russia, Iran & Saudi Arabia

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/india-must-sign-npt-to-gain-entry-into-nsg-patient-negotiations-required-china-194132">India must sign NPT to gain entry into NSG, patient negotiations required: China</a>

India must sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty(NPT) to gain entry into&nbsp;the Nuclear Suppliers Group, China said Thursday, asserting that "patient negotiations" were required for New Delhi's admission into the group as there is no precedent for the inclusion of non-NPT countries.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-participate-in-all-formats-of-talks-that-bring-peace-india-on-afghan-peace-process-194136">Will participate in all formats of talks that bring peace: India on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-participate-in-all-formats-of-talks-that-bring-peace-india-on-afghan-peace-process-194136">Afghan</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-participate-in-all-formats-of-talks-that-bring-peace-india-on-afghan-peace-process-194136"> peace process</a>

India has said it is "closely following the&nbsp;developments related to peace&nbsp;and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan which have been undertaken by different stakeholders" and it will participate in "all formats of talks" which could "bring peace and security in the region."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-expresses-displeasure-to-uk-over-pak-foreign-minister-qureshis-upcoming-anti-india-conference-194147">India expresses displeasure to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-expresses-displeasure-to-uk-over-pak-foreign-minister-qureshis-upcoming-anti-india-conference-194147">UK</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-expresses-displeasure-to-uk-over-pak-foreign-minister-qureshis-upcoming-anti-india-conference-194147"> over Pak foreign minister Qureshi's upcoming anti-India conference</a>

India has come strongly on Islamabad a day after&nbsp;Pakistan's High Commissioner to India&nbsp;Sohail Mahmood was summoned after Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke with separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads All Parties Hurriyat Conference in the Valley.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/gdp-growth-rate-for-2017-18-revised-upwards-to-72-194138">GDP growth rate for 2017-18 revised upwards to 7.2%</a>

The government Thursday revised the economic growth rate upwards to 7.2 per cent for 2017-18 from the 6.7 per cent estimated earlier. "Real GDP or GDP at constant (2011-12) prices for 2017-18 and 2016-17 stand at Rs 131.80 lakh crore and Rs 122.98 lakh crore, respectively, showing growth of 7.2 per cent during 2017-18 and 8.2 per cent during 2016-17," the CSO said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/russia-to-taliban-afghan-politicians-opposed-to-president-ghani-sources-194150">Russia to host Taliban, Afghan politicians opposed to President Ghani: Sources</a>

Russia will host the Taliban and Afghan politicians&nbsp;opposed to President Ashraf Ghani&nbsp;on Tuesday, Russian and Taliban sources said, promoting its role of power broker in what a US official called an attempt to "muddle" the US-backed peace process.

India must sign NPT to gain entry into NSG, patient negotiations required: China India must sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty(NPT) to gain entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, China said Thursday, asserting that "patient negotiations" were required for New Delhi's admission into the group as there is no precedent for the inclusion of non-NPT countries.

India must sign NPT to gain entry into NSG, patient negotiations required: China India must sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty(NPT) to gain entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, China said Thursday, asserting that "patient negotiations" were required for New Delhi's admission into the group as there is no precedent for the inclusion of non-NPT countries. Will participate in all formats of talks that bring peace: India on Afghan peace process India has said it is "closely following the developments related to peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan which have been undertaken by different stakeholders" and it will participate in "all formats of talks" which could "bring peace and security in the region." India expresses displeasure to UK over Pak foreign minister Qureshi's upcoming anti-India conference India has come strongly on Islamabad a day after Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood was summoned after Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke with separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads All Parties Hurriyat Conference in the Valley. GDP growth rate for 2017-18 revised upwards to 7.2% The government Thursday revised the economic growth rate upwards to 7.2 per cent for 2017-18 from the 6.7 per cent estimated earlier. "Real GDP or GDP at constant (2011-12) prices for 2017-18 and 2016-17 stand at Rs 131.80 lakh crore and Rs 122.98 lakh crore, respectively, showing growth of 7.2 per cent during 2017-18 and 8.2 per cent during 2016-17," the CSO said. Russia to host Taliban, Afghan politicians opposed to President Ghani: Sources Russia will host the Taliban and Afghan politicians opposed to President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday, Russian and Taliban sources said, promoting its role of power broker in what a US official called an attempt to "muddle" the US-backed peace process.

News brief: Big stories of the day

India has said it is "closely following the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-control-slips-in-afghanistan-amid-us-talks-with-taliban-194042">developments related to peace</a> and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan which have been undertaken by different stakeholders" and it will participate in "all formats of talks" which could "bring peace and security in the region."

Reacting to a question on recent developments in Afghan peace process, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said,"India supports efforts which can achieve an inclusive political settlement. In this context, it is an important presidential election in Afghanistan which takes place as per schedule."

Last week after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-not-stay-longer-than-necessary-in-afghanistan-nato-chief-193642">United States-Taliban talks in Doha</a>, it was announced that both sides may soon come up with a pact that may see American forces leave Afghanistan after 17 years.

While reiterating its official stand on the Afghan peace process, Kumar said, "We continue to support Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled process."

In 2018 at the Moscow talks on Afghanistan, India participated "non-officially" and sent two former envoys-- former Indian ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha and former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan TCA Raghavan. Taliban was also present at the meet.

Asked if "participation in all formats" means even if Taliban is present, MEA spokesperson said, "it is speculative. It depends from meeting to meeting. Let us see for which meetings we are being invited and then we will take a decision as to what level and what capacity we participate".

India doesn't engage with the Taliban as an official policy. Russia is again planning another Moscow format talks on Afghanistan with the presence of Taliban which India expects it will be invited.&nbsp;

Raveesh also highlighted the issue of terror emanating from neighbouring countries without taking names and said: "we also feel that for enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries need to be eliminated."

According to the US intelligence community report terror attacks in Afghanistan and India may increase due to Islamabad's resistance to act on terror groups on its territory.

India has said it is "closely following the developments related to peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan which have been undertaken by different stakeholders" and it will participate in "all formats of talks" which could "bring peace and security in the region.

India has said it is "closely following the developments related to peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan which have been undertaken by different stakeholders" and it will participate in "all formats of talks" which could "bring peace and security in the region." Reacting to a question on recent developments in Afghan peace process, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said,"India supports efforts which can achieve an inclusive political settlement. In this context, it is an important presidential election in Afghanistan which takes place as per schedule." Last week after the United States-Taliban talks in Doha, it was announced that both sides may soon come up with a pact that may see American forces leave Afghanistan after 17 years. While reiterating its official stand on the Afghan peace process, Kumar said, "We continue to support Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled process." In 2018 at the Moscow talks on Afghanistan, India participated "non-officially" and sent two former envoys-- former Indian ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha and former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan TCA Raghavan. Taliban was also present at the meet. Asked if "participation in all formats" means even if Taliban is present, MEA spokesperson said, "it is speculative. It depends from meeting to meeting. Let us see for which meetings we are being invited and then we will take a decision as to what level and what capacity we participate". India doesn't engage with the Taliban as an official policy. Russia is again planning another Moscow format talks on Afghanistan with the presence of Taliban which India expects it will be invited. Raveesh also highlighted the issue of terror emanating from neighbouring countries without taking names and said: "we also feel that for enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries need to be eliminated." According to the US intelligence community report terror attacks in Afghanistan and India may increase due to Islamabad's resistance to act on terror groups on its territory.

Will participate in all formats of talks that bring peace: India on Afghan peace process

As the world powers including Russia, Iran are holding talks with Taliban leaders to seek a way out of the Afghan conflict, the United States has outlined a plan to carry out confidence-building measures to persuade the rebels to join the peace process.

According to&nbsp;sources, the US has assured the Taliban a safety network including job opportunities for the insurgents after they pull out from the war-torn country.

Under the plan, the US wants the Taliban to opt for a ceasefire in return for the release of their captive leaders.&nbsp;

The US also assured to delist some Taliban leaders as part of their confidence-building measures. It will also unfreeze their accounts and remove travel restrictions.

The report also said that the US has requested Pakistan to get Taliban on the negotiating table.

Meanwhile, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in his second trip to Pakistan thanked Pakistan's leadership for playing their role in the Afghan peace talks.

After the US request, Taliban chief reportedly has done major changes in their team which negotiated with Washington and other stakeholders in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier this month, Taliban held talks with US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in the United Arab Emirates. The talks were aimed at renewing the Afghan peace process and eventually winding down America's longest war which began in 2001 with US invasion.

The Taliban controls vast amounts of Afghanistan's territory and are causing significant Afghan troop casualties. 
&nbsp;

Under the plan, the US wants the Taliban to opt for a ceasefire in return for the release of their captive leaders.

As the world powers including Russia, Iran are holding talks with Taliban leaders to seek a way out of the Afghan conflict, the United States has outlined a plan to carry out confidence-building measures to persuade the rebels to join the peace process. According to sources, the US has assured the Taliban a safety network including job opportunities for the insurgents after they pull out from the war-torn country. Under the plan, the US wants the Taliban to opt for a ceasefire in return for the release of their captive leaders. The US also assured to delist some Taliban leaders as part of their confidence-building measures. It will also unfreeze their accounts and remove travel restrictions. The report also said that the US has requested Pakistan to get Taliban on the negotiating table. Meanwhile, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in his second trip to Pakistan thanked Pakistan's leadership for playing their role in the Afghan peace talks. After the US request, Taliban chief reportedly has done major changes in their team which negotiated with Washington and other stakeholders in Abu Dhabi. Earlier this month, Taliban held talks with US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in the United Arab Emirates. The talks were aimed at renewing the Afghan peace process and eventually winding down America's longest war which began in 2001 with US invasion. The Taliban controls vast amounts of Afghanistan's territory and are causing significant Afghan troop casualties.

US offers to release Afghan Taliban captives, jobs in return of ceasefire

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-leader-replaces-top-security-chiefs-in-major-shake-up-186004">Afghan president Ashraf Ghani </a>on Monday&nbsp;at the presidential palace in Kabul, as part of his four-nation tour covering Afghanistan, Iran, China and Russia.

According to a statement from the president's office, both sides discussed bilateral relations,<a href="http://13.232.42.114/south-asia/undeclared-war-between-afghanistan-pak-must-end-ashraf-ghani-177444"> the Afghan-led peace process </a>and called for cooperation between the countries of the region and the world.

During the meeting, Qureshi highlighted the need for allies to strengthen connectivity, enhanced trade and better utilise the huge untapped natural and human resources in the region.

The meeting happened after China met the foreign ministers of Afghanistan and Pakistan earlier in December to put into effect a memorandum of understanding on security cooperation and support for Afghanistan's efforts to open talks with the Taliban.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met Afghan president Ashraf Ghani on Monday at the presidential palace in Kabul, as part of his four-nation tour covering Afghanistan, Iran, China and Russia.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met Afghan president Ashraf Ghani on Monday at the presidential palace in Kabul, as part of his four-nation tour covering Afghanistan, Iran, China and Russia. According to a statement from the president's office, both sides discussed bilateral relations, the Afghan-led peace process and called for cooperation between the countries of the region and the world. During the meeting, Qureshi highlighted the need for allies to strengthen connectivity, enhanced trade and better utilise the huge untapped natural and human resources in the region. The meeting happened after China met the foreign ministers of Afghanistan and Pakistan earlier in December to put into effect a memorandum of understanding on security cooperation and support for Afghanistan's efforts to open talks with the Taliban.

Afghanistan president Ghani meets Pakistan foreign minister Qureshi

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indra-2018-after-land-exercise-india-russia-naval-drill-begins-in-bay-of-bengal-183949">India and Russia</a> have reiterated their support for Afghan-led and Afghan-owned inclusive peace and reconciliation process in the war-torn country.

Regular&nbsp;bilateral consultations between India and Russia on Afghanistan were held here on Thursday.

In this context, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-west-trying-to-hold-back-powerful-russia-185542">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>'s special envoy Zamir Kabulov held delegation-level talks with Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran) Deepak Mittal, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.

During&nbsp;the meeting, both sides reiterated their support for "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned" inclusive peace and reconciliation process. The Russian side briefed on their efforts to support the peace process through Moscow format of talks.

"It was agreed to maintain regular bilateral consultations and coordination including in the context of international fora with the shared objective to promote peace, security, stability, unity and prosperity in Afghanistan," he added.

The&nbsp;two sides also agreed to hold the next round of consultations on the matter in Moscow in 2019. The&nbsp;Russian envoy later called on Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.&nbsp;

India and Russia have reiterated their support for Afghan-led and Afghan-owned inclusive peace and reconciliation process in the war-torn country. Regular bilateral consultations between India and Russia on Afghanistan were held here on Thursday.

India and Russia have reiterated their support for Afghan-led and Afghan-owned inclusive peace and reconciliation process in the war-torn country. Regular bilateral consultations between India and Russia on Afghanistan were held here on Thursday. In this context, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy Zamir Kabulov held delegation-level talks with Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran) Deepak Mittal, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. During the meeting, both sides reiterated their support for "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned" inclusive peace and reconciliation process. The Russian side briefed on their efforts to support the peace process through Moscow format of talks. "It was agreed to maintain regular bilateral consultations and coordination including in the context of international fora with the shared objective to promote peace, security, stability, unity and prosperity in Afghanistan," he added. The two sides also agreed to hold the next round of consultations on the matter in Moscow in 2019. The Russian envoy later called on Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.

India, Russia pledge for Afghan-led peace process

Uzbekistan wants to establish a new venue for peace talks between the government of neighbouring Afghanistan and the Taliban, it said on Tuesday, having invited the world&rsquo;s top diplomats to a conference later this month.

As per media reports, the conference will be held on 26 to 27 March in Tashkent with the aim to jumpstart the &ldquo;Afghan-owned, Afghan-led process for national reconciliation&rdquo;, its foreign ministry said in a statement.

It is unclear, however, whether any Taliban representatives will be present at the meeting where Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is set to deliver a keynote speech.

The meeting will be the first such event to be hosted by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who came to power in 2016 and has pledged to open up the resource-rich nation of 32 million to the outside world.

An extravagant number of high-ranking officials are said to attend the conference including the UN Secretary-General Ant&oacute;nio Guterres, UN Special Representative for Afghanistan Tadamiti Yamamoto and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Magerini will attend the conference.

Other than that, foreign ministers of China, Russia, the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are also expected to attend the conference.

The representatives are expected to voice their consolidated position at the regional and global levels on the need for the early start of direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban without any preconditions being put forward.&nbsp;

Mirziyoyev&rsquo;s office said last week that US&nbsp;President Donald Trump supported the conference in a message, saying his &ldquo;administration is considering the composition of the relevant delegation of the United States&rdquo;.

The Uzbek foreign ministry said it expected the meeting to adopt the resolution calling for &ldquo;guaranteed integration of the armed opposition into the political life of Afghanistan&rdquo; while condemning &ldquo;all forms and manifestations of terrorism&rdquo;.

&ldquo;Initiating the Tashkent Conference, Uzbekistan by no means intends to confine itself to arranging it as a one-off event, but to continue with vigorous efforts &ndash; both bilaterally and multilaterally &ndash; to promote a peaceful political process in Afghanistan,&rdquo; it said.

Mirziyoyev took over the predominantly Muslim former Soviet republic after the death of President Islam Karimov who had run it for more than a quarter of a century.

Tashkent&rsquo;s ties with the West were strained under Karimov who was often criticised over his government&rsquo;s human rights abuses.

Mirziyoyev has promised to liberalise the resource-rich nation and has embarked on a diplomatic campaign to bring in much-needed foreign investment.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The conference will be held on 26 to 27 March in Tashkent with the aim to jumpstart the 'Afghan-owned, Afghan-led process for national reconciliation', its foreign ministry said in a statement

Uzbekistan wants to establish a new venue for peace talks between the government of neighbouring Afghanistan and the Taliban, it said on Tuesday, having invited the world’s top diplomats to a conference later this month. As per media reports, the conference will be held on 26 to 27 March in Tashkent with the aim to jumpstart the “Afghan-owned, Afghan-led process for national reconciliation”, its foreign ministry said in a statement. It is unclear, however, whether any Taliban representatives will be present at the meeting where Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is set to deliver a keynote speech. The meeting will be the first such event to be hosted by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who came to power in 2016 and has pledged to open up the resource-rich nation of 32 million to the outside world. An extravagant number of high-ranking officials are said to attend the conference including the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Special Representative for Afghanistan Tadamiti Yamamoto and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Magerini will attend the conference. Other than that, foreign ministers of China, Russia, the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are also expected to attend the conference. The representatives are expected to voice their consolidated position at the regional and global levels on the need for the early start of direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban without any preconditions being put forward. Mirziyoyev’s office said last week that US President Donald Trump supported the conference in a message, saying his “administration is considering the composition of the relevant delegation of the United States”. The Uzbek foreign ministry said it expected the meeting to adopt the resolution calling for “guaranteed integration of the armed opposition into the political life of Afghanistan” while condemning “all forms and manifestations of terrorism”. “Initiating the Tashkent Conference, Uzbekistan by no means intends to confine itself to arranging it as a one-off event, but to continue with vigorous efforts – both bilaterally and multilaterally – to promote a peaceful political process in Afghanistan,” it said. Mirziyoyev took over the predominantly Muslim former Soviet republic after the death of President Islam Karimov who had run it for more than a quarter of a century. Tashkent’s ties with the West were strained under Karimov who was often criticised over his government’s human rights abuses. Mirziyoyev has promised to liberalise the resource-rich nation and has embarked on a diplomatic campaign to bring in much-needed foreign investment. (With inputs from Reuters)

Uzbekistan seeks bigger role in Afghan-Taliban peace talks