Tajikistan is scheduled to host a regional security summit on Afghanistan, the meeting is to be held later this week in Tajikistan's capital and will be attended by representatives from countries in the region; India would be represented by the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

India to bat for inclusive Afghanistan government at Dushanbe meet

Tajikistan is scheduled to host a regional summit on Afghanistan. The meeting is to be held later in the week in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe and will be attended by representatives from countries in the region. India will attend the Dushanbe meet.

India's NSA to attend Dushanbe meet on Afghanistan

The two-day Dushanbe security dialogue on Afghanistan kicked off today (Thursday), while the key engagement day is set to take place on Friday. India is being represented by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval who will be in Tajikistan for the meeting. Other participants of the meet include Russia, China, Iran and Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, other than the host Tajikistan. &nbsp;

It is understood that Pakistan could not participate as no appointment of NSA has taken place ever since the formation of the new government led by Shehbaz Sharif,

When it comes to Afghanistan, issues like cross border terror, humanitarian support to the country, formation of an inclusive government will be the top issues on the agenda. The security dialogue is 4th in line of such dialogue.&nbsp;

The last such dialogue took in Delhi last year hosted by National Security Council. That meeting saw no participation from Pakistan and China. The first two editions of the meeting happened in Tehran.

On the sidelines of the meet, the Indian NSA is expected to hold bilateral talks with his counterparts. While there is no confirmation on the number of bilateral talks, a meeting with the Russian side will be significant in the backdrop of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had earlier this year visited India—a visit that was seen as Moscow's attempt to keep Delhi in the loop regarding its actions in Ukraine.

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The two-day Dushanbe security dialogue on Afghanistan kicked off today (Thursday), while the key engagement day is set to take place on Friday. India is being represented by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval who will be in Tajikistan for the meeting.

The two-day Dushanbe security dialogue on Afghanistan kicked off today (Thursday), while the key engagement day is set to take place on Friday. India is being represented by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval who will be in Tajikistan for the meeting. Other participants of the meet include Russia, China, Iran and Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, other than the host Tajikistan. It is understood that Pakistan could not participate as no appointment of NSA has taken place ever since the formation of the new government led by Shehbaz Sharif, When it comes to Afghanistan, issues like cross border terror, humanitarian support to the country, formation of an inclusive government will be the top issues on the agenda. The security dialogue is 4th in line of such dialogue. The last such dialogue took in Delhi last year hosted by National Security Council. That meeting saw no participation from Pakistan and China. The first two editions of the meeting happened in Tehran. On the sidelines of the meet, the Indian NSA is expected to hold bilateral talks with his counterparts. While there is no confirmation on the number of bilateral talks, a meeting with the Russian side will be significant in the backdrop of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had earlier this year visited India—a visit that was seen as Moscow's attempt to keep Delhi in the loop regarding its actions in Ukraine. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian NSA Doval heads to Tajikistan for Dushanbe Security Dialogue

The Dutch National Security Advisor (NSA) Geoffrey Van Leeuwen on Thursday held talks with India's NSA Ajit Doval during in which the situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan dominated.

It&nbsp;was the first such visit by the Dutch NSA to Delhi and comes even as the Indian capital has seen a slew of visits, including by the foreign ministers from&nbsp;UK, Russia, Mexico, German NSA and Deputy American NSA in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION, Security and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands&nbsp;Geoffrey&nbsp;said, "As national security advisor’s to our respective PMs our main objective was to exchange views on the current security challenges we are facing. We discussed the situation in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and we discussed how we can strengthen our cooperation in the Asia Pacific."

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between India and the Netherlands. In April, the Indian president will pay a state visit to the Netherlands to celebrate the establishment of ties.&nbsp;

NSA Geoffrey highlighted that, "we touched upon several bilateral issues. The visit must be seen in the intensification of our bilateral relationship over the last couple of years. The massive trade and investment relationship, the many visits of our PMs, a state visit by our King and Queen, and next week's state visit by the President of India are all testimony to how close we have become. My visit today fits within that picture."

PM Modi had visited the Netherlands in 2017.&nbsp;During the visit, the PM called on the King and Queen of the Netherlands and held bilateral discussions with PM Mark Rutte and other members of his Cabinet. It&nbsp;was followed by the&nbsp;visit of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to India in May, 2018. He led the largest ever Dutch trade mission to India which comprised over 130 companies/institutions and nearly 200 trade representatives.

The Dutch National Security Advisor (NSA) Geoffrey Van Leeuwen on Thursday held talks with India's NSA Ajit Doval during in which the situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan dominated.

The Dutch National Security Advisor (NSA) Geoffrey Van Leeuwen on Thursday held talks with India's NSA Ajit Doval during in which the situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan dominated. It was the first such visit by the Dutch NSA to Delhi and comes even as the Indian capital has seen a slew of visits, including by the foreign ministers from UK, Russia, Mexico, German NSA and Deputy American NSA in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Speaking to WION, Security and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Geoffrey said, "As national security advisor’s to our respective PMs our main objective was to exchange views on the current security challenges we are facing. We discussed the situation in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and we discussed how we can strengthen our cooperation in the Asia Pacific." This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between India and the Netherlands. In April, the Indian president will pay a state visit to the Netherlands to celebrate the establishment of ties. NSA Geoffrey highlighted that, "we touched upon several bilateral issues. The visit must be seen in the intensification of our bilateral relationship over the last couple of years. The massive trade and investment relationship, the many visits of our PMs, a state visit by our King and Queen, and next week's state visit by the President of India are all testimony to how close we have become. My visit today fits within that picture." PM Modi had visited the Netherlands in 2017. During the visit, the PM called on the King and Queen of the Netherlands and held bilateral discussions with PM Mark Rutte and other members of his Cabinet. It was followed by the visit of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to India in May, 2018. He led the largest ever Dutch trade mission to India which comprised over 130 companies/institutions and nearly 200 trade representatives.

Discussed Ukraine, Afghanistan with NSA Doval: Dutch NSA Geoffrey Van Leeuwen

Russian foreign minister Sergei&nbsp;Lavrov arrived in India's capital New Delhi on Thursday evening.

The Russian foreign minister will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar on April 1.

Lavrov arrived in India amid the war in Ukraine. Before arriving in India, Lavrov had held discussions with the Chinese minister of foreign affairs Wang Yi in Tunxi, China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-trying-to-reinforce-offensive-in-donbas-maintains-pressure-on-kyiv-nato-467184">Also Read:&nbsp;Russia trying to reinforce offensive in Donbas, says NATO</a>

The Chinese foreign minister was in the Indian capital last week to discuss the regional situation and bilateral relations. Wang had met India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval as de-escalation talks in eastern Ladakh took centre stage during talks.

Lavrov's meeting is the first high-level visit of a Russian official since the war began on February 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin had visited India in December last year as he held summit talks with PM Narendra Modi.

Watch:&nbsp;&nbsp;UK aims to rally India to support West against Kremlin

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Meanwhile, UK foreign secretary Elizabeth Truss visited met Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi on Thursday. "Of course, it's a vital time for global security in the wake of Russia's illegal invasion in Ukraine," Truss said.

"It's essential to respect the principle sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law and it's very important for the United Kingdom that we are improving our economic, our security and defence relationships," Truss said in New Delhi.

The visit by the UK foreign secretary comes amid "wider diplomatic push" with the Ukraine war in focus. US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh had arrived in India on Wednesday.

The British High Commission in India said Truss wants to "counter" Russia's aggression and reduce global strategic dependence on the country ahead of the key NATO and G7 meetings next week.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in India's capital New Delhi on Thursday evening. The Russian foreign minister will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in India's capital New Delhi on Thursday evening. The Russian foreign minister will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar on April 1. Lavrov arrived in India amid the war in Ukraine. Before arriving in India, Lavrov had held discussions with the Chinese minister of foreign affairs Wang Yi in Tunxi, China. Also Read: Russia trying to reinforce offensive in Donbas, says NATO The Chinese foreign minister was in the Indian capital last week to discuss the regional situation and bilateral relations. Wang had met India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval as de-escalation talks in eastern Ladakh took centre stage during talks. Lavrov's meeting is the first high-level visit of a Russian official since the war began on February 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin had visited India in December last year as he held summit talks with PM Narendra Modi. Watch: UK aims to rally India to support West against Kremlin Meanwhile, UK foreign secretary Elizabeth Truss visited met Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi on Thursday. "Of course, it's a vital time for global security in the wake of Russia's illegal invasion in Ukraine," Truss said. "It's essential to respect the principle sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law and it's very important for the United Kingdom that we are improving our economic, our security and defence relationships," Truss said in New Delhi. The visit by the UK foreign secretary comes amid "wider diplomatic push" with the Ukraine war in focus. US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh had arrived in India on Wednesday. The British High Commission in India said Truss wants to "counter" Russia's aggression and reduce global strategic dependence on the country ahead of the key NATO and G7 meetings next week. (With inputs from Agencies)

Russian foreign minister Lavrov arrives in India

The Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan released after the National security advisors (NSAs) meet has called for an inclusive government in Kabul and upholding the "fundamental rights" of women, children, and minority communities. NSAs of seven&nbsp;countries,&nbsp;the five&nbsp;Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Russia took part in the event hosted by India.

The Declaration said that the countries "stressed the necessity of forming an open and truly inclusive government" that represents the "will of all the people of Afghanistan and has representation from all sections of their society, including major ethnopolitical forces in the country."

It further highlighted that "Inclusion of all sections of the society in the administrative and political structure is imperative for the successful national reconciliation process in the country."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/afghan-humanitarian-crisis-dominates-discussion-between-nsa-doval-his-tajik-uzbek-counterparts-428118" hreflang="en">Afghan humanitarian crisis dominates discussion during NSA meet</a>

Taliban, since the takeover of the country announced a government, which was dominated by the group and had no representation from minorities like the Hazaras. The government also had no representation from women and of over 30 members in the cabinet, around 17 are on the United Nations list of sanctioned terrorists.

A considerable portion was on the issue of the threat of terrorism emanating from the country. The joint statement "emphasised that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist acts."

The countries which participated at the meet have called for a "collective cooperation" against the "menace of radicalisation, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking in the region.". Central Asian countries, especially those who share a land border with Afghanistan, like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are worried over a spillover into their territory. &nbsp;

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/dont-politicise-education-and-right-to-work-afghan-women-protest-against-taliban-government-422880" hreflang="en">'Don't politicise education and right to work:' Afghan women protest against Taliban government</a>

The focus was also on humanitarian support to the country and the need to " provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan." With the onset of winter, and the Taliban government not doing essential food stockpiling fears of a major humanitarian crisis is looming in the country with many on the brink of starvation.

Interestingly, the statement mentioned that humanitarian assistance should be provided in an "unimpeded, direct and assured manner to Afghanistan" and that the "assistance is distributed within the country in a non-discriminatory manner across all sections of the Afghan society.". India has proposed to send assistance to Afghanistan via Pakistan but the country hasn't responded to New Delhi's request.

This is the second such statement being issued on Afghanistan under Indian leadership. In August, under the Indian presidency of the United Nations Security Council, a resolution was adopted. &nbsp;

The visiting NSAs participated in the regional security dialogue earlier in the day and issued statements. NSA Ajit Doval in his remarks said, "developments in (Afghanistan)...have important implications not only for the people of Afghanistan but also for its neighbours and the region.

This is the time for close consultation amongst us, greater cooperation and interaction and coordination among the regional countries."

The NSAs also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

&nbsp;

The Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan released after the National security advisors (NSAs) meet has called for an inclusive government in Kabul and upholding the "fundamental rights" of women, children, and minority communities.

The Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan released after the National security advisors (NSAs) meet has called for an inclusive government in Kabul and upholding the "fundamental rights" of women, children, and minority communities. NSAs of seven countries, the five Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Russia took part in the event hosted by India. The Declaration said that the countries "stressed the necessity of forming an open and truly inclusive government" that represents the "will of all the people of Afghanistan and has representation from all sections of their society, including major ethnopolitical forces in the country." It further highlighted that "Inclusion of all sections of the society in the administrative and political structure is imperative for the successful national reconciliation process in the country." Also read | Afghan humanitarian crisis dominates discussion during NSA meet Taliban, since the takeover of the country announced a government, which was dominated by the group and had no representation from minorities like the Hazaras. The government also had no representation from women and of over 30 members in the cabinet, around 17 are on the United Nations list of sanctioned terrorists. A considerable portion was on the issue of the threat of terrorism emanating from the country. The joint statement "emphasised that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist acts." The countries which participated at the meet have called for a "collective cooperation" against the "menace of radicalisation, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking in the region.". Central Asian countries, especially those who share a land border with Afghanistan, like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are worried over a spillover into their territory. Also see | 'Don't politicise education and right to work:' Afghan women protest against Taliban government The focus was also on humanitarian support to the country and the need to " provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan." With the onset of winter, and the Taliban government not doing essential food stockpiling fears of a major humanitarian crisis is looming in the country with many on the brink of starvation. Interestingly, the statement mentioned that humanitarian assistance should be provided in an "unimpeded, direct and assured manner to Afghanistan" and that the "assistance is distributed within the country in a non-discriminatory manner across all sections of the Afghan society.". India has proposed to send assistance to Afghanistan via Pakistan but the country hasn't responded to New Delhi's request. This is the second such statement being issued on Afghanistan under Indian leadership. In August, under the Indian presidency of the United Nations Security Council, a resolution was adopted. The visiting NSAs participated in the regional security dialogue earlier in the day and issued statements. NSA Ajit Doval in his remarks said, "developments in (Afghanistan)...have important implications not only for the people of Afghanistan but also for its neighbours and the region. This is the time for close consultation amongst us, greater cooperation and interaction and coordination among the regional countries." The NSAs also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Delhi declaration on Afghanistan calls for inclusive government, rights of women, minorities

China has decided to skip India's 'Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan', a meeting of national security advisers from the region.

The Chinese government said it would not be able to attend the conclave because of scheduling issues. However, the country has conveyed its readiness to maintain contacts with India on Afghanistan through bilateral and multilateral channels.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-looks-for-practical-outcomes-at-security-czars-meet-on-afghanistan-427797">India looks for practical outcomes at 'security czars' meet on Afghanistan</a>

Pakistan had also declined to attend the National Security Advisors meeting being hosted by India, and the country's NSA Moeed Yusuf was publicly quoted as describing India as a spoiler.

On Wednesday, 10th November,&nbsp;India will be hosting, security czars of Russia, Iran and five central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, for security dialogue on Afghanistan.

Conclave participants will work to develop a common approach to practical cooperation in the face of growing threats from terrorism, radicalization, and drug trafficking following the Taliban takeover of Kabul.

The dialogue will be chaired by India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.&nbsp;

Additionally, Doval will also hold bilateral talks with his counterparts, including those from Russia and Iran.

The participating countries, according to sources, are in very high agreement regarding the security implications of the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, and the focus of the dialogue will be on how to work together on practical matters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iran-russia-central-asia-confirm-presence-at-delhi-nsa-meet-on-afghanistan-426930">Iran, Russia, Central Asia confirm presence at Delhi NSA meet on Afghanistan</a>

The challenges posed by terrorism, radicalisation, drug trafficking, cross-border migration of people, and the threat posed by military weapons left behind by US forces will be discussed at length at the dialogue.

The security officials are also expected to discuss the cross-border movement of Afghans.

According to the MEA, India has enjoyed close and friendly relations with the people of Afghanistan and has called for a unified international response to tackle the security and humanitarian challenges Afghanistan faces.

"The forthcoming meeting is a step in that direction," it said.

Participants in the conference have not recognized the Taliban, and they all share similar concerns and worries about the situation in Afghanistan.

Watch |&nbsp;Iran, Russia confirm presence at Delhi NSA meet on Afghanistan

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While the meeting is unlikely to result in a formal security architecture, it may lead to a gradual evolution of increased security cooperation.

According to sources, Pakistan had also refused to attend previous dialogues of the NSAs in Iran in 2018 and 2019 citing India's participation.

China has decided to skip India's 'Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan', a meeting of national security advisers from the region. The Chinese government said it would not be able to attend the conclave because of scheduling issues.

China has decided to skip India's 'Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan', a meeting of national security advisers from the region. The Chinese government said it would not be able to attend the conclave because of scheduling issues. However, the country has conveyed its readiness to maintain contacts with India on Afghanistan through bilateral and multilateral channels. Also read | India looks for practical outcomes at 'security czars' meet on Afghanistan Pakistan had also declined to attend the National Security Advisors meeting being hosted by India, and the country's NSA Moeed Yusuf was publicly quoted as describing India as a spoiler. On Wednesday, 10th November, India will be hosting, security czars of Russia, Iran and five central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, for security dialogue on Afghanistan. Conclave participants will work to develop a common approach to practical cooperation in the face of growing threats from terrorism, radicalization, and drug trafficking following the Taliban takeover of Kabul. The dialogue will be chaired by India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. Additionally, Doval will also hold bilateral talks with his counterparts, including those from Russia and Iran. The participating countries, according to sources, are in very high agreement regarding the security implications of the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, and the focus of the dialogue will be on how to work together on practical matters. Also read | Iran, Russia, Central Asia confirm presence at Delhi NSA meet on Afghanistan The challenges posed by terrorism, radicalisation, drug trafficking, cross-border migration of people, and the threat posed by military weapons left behind by US forces will be discussed at length at the dialogue. The security officials are also expected to discuss the cross-border movement of Afghans. According to the MEA, India has enjoyed close and friendly relations with the people of Afghanistan and has called for a unified international response to tackle the security and humanitarian challenges Afghanistan faces. "The forthcoming meeting is a step in that direction," it said. Participants in the conference have not recognized the Taliban, and they all share similar concerns and worries about the situation in Afghanistan. Watch | Iran, Russia confirm presence at Delhi NSA meet on Afghanistan While the meeting is unlikely to result in a formal security architecture, it may lead to a gradual evolution of increased security cooperation. According to sources, Pakistan had also refused to attend previous dialogues of the NSAs in Iran in 2018 and 2019 citing India's participation.

After Pak, China NSA to also skip Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan hosted by India

India is hoping for a lot of "practical outcomes" at the National Security Advisory meet on Afghanistan.

NSA of seven&nbsp;countries - Iran, Russia and five&nbsp;central Asian countries - Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan&nbsp;and Turkmenistan will be in New Delhi for talks on November 10. A&nbsp;source described it as a meeting by "security czars" with&nbsp;discussions set to take place on security and finding a "common ground on the way forward".

A release from the ministry of external affairs said:&nbsp;"The high-level dialogue will 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."

Key issues at the meet will be terrorism along with&nbsp;Afghanistan, radicalisation, extremism, cross-border movement, drug trafficking, humanitarian aid and threat emanating from a vast number of military weapons left behind in the country. &nbsp;

It is the third&nbsp;such format of talks taking place with the last having taken place in Iran. &nbsp;

The 2018 round in Iran saw five&nbsp;countries - Iran, Afghanistan, China, Russia and India.&nbsp;&nbsp;The number then increased to seven&nbsp;in 2019 with the participation of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - both of which share a land border with Afghanistan.

India has been "quite engaged on Afghan issues and reflects the importance we attach to the situation there" sources said while&nbsp;highlighting New Delhi's focus on the issue at the BRICS NSA meetings, PM at SCO meet and Italian G20 summit on Afghanistan, &nbsp;Russian NSA visiting India accompanied by his defence ministry and intelligence officials.

The fact the NSAs are visiting India, sources pointed that it shows the "importance, the value they see in coming for the meet" and "degree of worry as to what is going on in Afghanistan and major security challenges and to meet and discuss things on Indian soil".

Asked on the outreach to Taliban, sources pointed out that New Delhi&nbsp;doesn't "recognise the Taliban government in Kabul". None of the countries participating in the meet has&nbsp;recognised the Taliban regime in Kabul.

Pakistan has publicly said that it will not be participating in the meet. Terming the development "unfortunate", sources pointed how in the past two&nbsp;meetings Islamabad had not participated over India's&nbsp;presence.

China has conveyed to India it could not participate due to scheduling issues but will continue to have contacts with India on Afghanistan. One of the reasons for China's non-participation is due to the plenum of the Chinese Communist&nbsp;Party currently underway in Beijing.

Indian NSA Ajit Doval will hold&nbsp;bilateral meetings with Tajik and Uzbek NSA on Tuesday, Russian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz NSA on Wednesday in Delhi on the sidelines of Delhi security dialogue meet on Afghanistan.

Kazakhstan's delegation will also be visiting the Golden Temple and Uzbek delegation will visit the&nbsp;Taj Mahal while the Tajik delegation will be in Delhi for sightseeing. India has already had bilateral with Kazkh, Tajik, Kyrgyz and Russian NSA in the past few months.

Iran will be represented by Secretary, Supreme National Security Council Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Russia by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Nikolai P. Patrushev, Kazakhstan by Chairman of National Security Committee Karim Massimov, Kyrgyzstan by Secretary of the Security Council Marat Mukanovich Imankulov, Tajikistan by Secretary, Security Council Nasrullo Rahmatjon Mahmudzoda, Turkmenistan by Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan on Security &amp; Secretary, State Security Council Charymyrat Kakalyyevvich Amavov and Uzbekistan by Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Victor Makhmudov.

India is hoping for a lot of "practical outcomes" at the National Security Advisory meet on Afghanistan. NSA of seven countries - Iran, Russia and five central Asian countries - Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will be in New Delhi for talks on November 10.

India is hoping for a lot of "practical outcomes" at the National Security Advisory meet on Afghanistan. NSA of seven countries - Iran, Russia and five central Asian countries - Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will be in New Delhi for talks on November 10. A source described it as a meeting by "security czars" with discussions set to take place on security and finding a "common ground on the way forward". A release from the ministry of external affairs said: "The high-level dialogue will 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." Key issues at the meet will be terrorism along with Afghanistan, radicalisation, extremism, cross-border movement, drug trafficking, humanitarian aid and threat emanating from a vast number of military weapons left behind in the country. It is the third such format of talks taking place with the last having taken place in Iran. The 2018 round in Iran saw five countries - Iran, Afghanistan, China, Russia and India. The number then increased to seven in 2019 with the participation of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - both of which share a land border with Afghanistan. India has been "quite engaged on Afghan issues and reflects the importance we attach to the situation there" sources said while highlighting New Delhi's focus on the issue at the BRICS NSA meetings, PM at SCO meet and Italian G20 summit on Afghanistan, Russian NSA visiting India accompanied by his defence ministry and intelligence officials. The fact the NSAs are visiting India, sources pointed that it shows the "importance, the value they see in coming for the meet" and "degree of worry as to what is going on in Afghanistan and major security challenges and to meet and discuss things on Indian soil". Asked on the outreach to Taliban, sources pointed out that New Delhi doesn't "recognise the Taliban government in Kabul". None of the countries participating in the meet has recognised the Taliban regime in Kabul. Pakistan has publicly said that it will not be participating in the meet. Terming the development "unfortunate", sources pointed how in the past two meetings Islamabad had not participated over India's presence. China has conveyed to India it could not participate due to scheduling issues but will continue to have contacts with India on Afghanistan. One of the reasons for China's non-participation is due to the plenum of the Chinese Communist Party currently underway in Beijing. Indian NSA Ajit Doval will hold bilateral meetings with Tajik and Uzbek NSA on Tuesday, Russian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz NSA on Wednesday in Delhi on the sidelines of Delhi security dialogue meet on Afghanistan. Kazakhstan's delegation will also be visiting the Golden Temple and Uzbek delegation will visit the Taj Mahal while the Tajik delegation will be in Delhi for sightseeing. India has already had bilateral with Kazkh, Tajik, Kyrgyz and Russian NSA in the past few months. Iran will be represented by Secretary, Supreme National Security Council Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Russia by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Nikolai P. Patrushev, Kazakhstan by Chairman of National Security Committee Karim Massimov, Kyrgyzstan by Secretary of the Security Council Marat Mukanovich Imankulov, Tajikistan by Secretary, Security Council Nasrullo Rahmatjon Mahmudzoda, Turkmenistan by Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan on Security & Secretary, State Security Council Charymyrat Kakalyyevvich Amavov and Uzbekistan by Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Victor Makhmudov.

India looks for practical outcomes at 'security czars' meet on Afghanistan

Russia, Iran and Central Asian countries have confirmed presence at the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan on November 10.

India is hosting the meeting this year which will be chaired by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Sources told WION that "there has been an overwhelming response to India's invitation", calling the "high-level participation" in the meet hosted by New Delhi reflective of "widespread and growing concern of regional countries about the situation in Afghanistan and their desire to consult and coordinate with each other. India has an important role to play in this process."

In a first, all central Asian countries will be present at the meet, not just countries like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan who share land border with Afghanistan. "The enthusiastic response is a manifestation of the importance attached to India's role in regional efforts to promote peace and security in Afghanistan," sources explained.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-supreme-leader-akhundzada-issues-a-warning-against-infiltrators-in-the-ranks-426859" hreflang="en">Taliban supreme leader Akhundzada issues a warning against infiltrators in the ranks</a>

For central Asian countries, concerns of a spillover from Afghanistan have been increasing, and they have been raising the matter in multiple ways. Last month, Russia hosted a meet on Afghanistan in which India was invited. The "Moscow format" meet on Afghanistan has been taking place for last few years and this was the first since the collapse of Afghan republic under President Ashraf Ghani.&nbsp;

The meet comes months after Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August. Since then, situation has deteriorated in the country and worries mounted over worsening humanitarian situation. In the past&nbsp;two meetings under the current NSA format has met in Iran, in September 2018 and December 2019. The third such meet was to take place in India but could not happen due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/unicef-aiming-to-fund-afghan-school-teachers-without-giving-money-to-taliban-report-426685" hreflang="en">UNICEF aiming to fund Afghan school teachers without giving money to Taliban: Report</a>

China has not yet responded&nbsp;to India's invite while Pakistan's NSA Mooed Yusuf has publicly announced he will not participate, terming India as "spoiler". Asked on Pakistan's decision, sources said, "Pakistan's decision is unfortunate, but not surprising. It reflects its mindset of viewing Afghanistan as its protectorate. Pakistan has not attended the previous meetings of this format", adding the "media comments against India are an unsuccessful attempt to deflect attention from its pernicious role in Afghanistan."

Pakistan has also not yet responded to Indian proposal to send humanitarian aid to Afghanistan via Wagha border. Islamabad has been backing Taliban to the hilt and working on at international floras to get the government&nbsp;under the grouping legitimacy. Pakistan Foreign Minister SM Qureshi had recently visited Kabul and engaged with top Taliban leadership.

Russia, Iran and Central Asian countries have confirmed presence at the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan on November 10. India is hosting the meeting this year which will be chaired by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Russia, Iran and Central Asian countries have confirmed presence at the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan on November 10. India is hosting the meeting this year which will be chaired by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Sources told WION that "there has been an overwhelming response to India's invitation", calling the "high-level participation" in the meet hosted by New Delhi reflective of "widespread and growing concern of regional countries about the situation in Afghanistan and their desire to consult and coordinate with each other. India has an important role to play in this process." In a first, all central Asian countries will be present at the meet, not just countries like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan who share land border with Afghanistan. "The enthusiastic response is a manifestation of the importance attached to India's role in regional efforts to promote peace and security in Afghanistan," sources explained. Also read | Taliban supreme leader Akhundzada issues a warning against infiltrators in the ranks For central Asian countries, concerns of a spillover from Afghanistan have been increasing, and they have been raising the matter in multiple ways. Last month, Russia hosted a meet on Afghanistan in which India was invited. The "Moscow format" meet on Afghanistan has been taking place for last few years and this was the first since the collapse of Afghan republic under President Ashraf Ghani. The meet comes months after Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August. Since then, situation has deteriorated in the country and worries mounted over worsening humanitarian situation. In the past two meetings under the current NSA format has met in Iran, in September 2018 and December 2019. The third such meet was to take place in India but could not happen due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also read | UNICEF aiming to fund Afghan school teachers without giving money to Taliban: Report China has not yet responded to India's invite while Pakistan's NSA Mooed Yusuf has publicly announced he will not participate, terming India as "spoiler". Asked on Pakistan's decision, sources said, "Pakistan's decision is unfortunate, but not surprising. It reflects its mindset of viewing Afghanistan as its protectorate. Pakistan has not attended the previous meetings of this format", adding the "media comments against India are an unsuccessful attempt to deflect attention from its pernicious role in Afghanistan." Pakistan has also not yet responded to Indian proposal to send humanitarian aid to Afghanistan via Wagha border. Islamabad has been backing Taliban to the hilt and working on at international floras to get the government under the grouping legitimacy. Pakistan Foreign Minister SM Qureshi had recently visited Kabul and engaged with top Taliban leadership.

Iran, Russia, Central Asia confirm presence at Delhi NSA meet on Afghanistan

India has proposed to host an in-person meet of the National Security Advisors (NSA) on Afghanistan in Delhi in November. Many countries in the region and key stakeholders like Russia and Pakistan have been invited.

The meet was to take place earlier this year, but it could not materialise.&nbsp;

Pakistani sources confirmed that Pakistan's National security advisor Moeed Yusuf received the invitation last week.

If his attendance is confirmed, then this will be Pakistan&nbsp;NSA Yusuf's first official visit to Delhi. Both Indian NSA Doval and Pakistani NSA Yusuf were in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, earlier this year for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) NSA meet, but no bilateral meeting took place.

Two dates have been proposed for the in-person meet—10th and 11th November—for the meeting in Delhi.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/avoid-public-executions-unless-ordered-by-top-court-taliban-regime-tells-local-officials-in-afghanistan-421149">Avoid public executions unless ordered by top court, Taliban regime tells local officials in Afghanistan</a>

The proposal to host the meeting comes even as the situation in Afghanistan remains precarious and with the onset of winters, worries have mounted over the deterioration of the humanitarian situation.&nbsp;

Last week marked two months since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban militants. The Taliban leadership have visited Qatar, Turkey and Uzbekistan hoping to get recognition and legitimacy for the newly formed government, but so far, no such indication has been given by the global community.

In the following week, Russia will be hosting Moscow format of talks involving Taliban, Pakistan, China and India.

In response to a WION question on Thursday, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi confirmed India’s presence at the Moscow talks.

“We have received an invitation for the Moscow format meeting on Afghanistan on October 20. We will be participating in it. I don’t have final confirmation of who will be attending, but it’s likely that we will be attended at the Joint Secretary level.”&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/plans-underway-to-form-afghan-government-in-exile-421031">Plans underway to form Afghan government in-exile</a>

This will be the second time that India will be publicly seen sitting with the Taliban. On August 31, Indian envoy to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, and Taliban's Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai had met at the Indian embassy in Doha.

The Indian ministry of external affairs confirming the meet said that it&nbsp;happened “on the request of the Taliban side”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-offers-condolence-payments-relocation-to-kin-of-afghans-killed-in-botched-drone-attack-421207">US offers condolence payments, relocation to kin of Afghans killed in botched drone attack</a>

During the meet, India discussed issues like the safe return of Indian nationals from Afghanistan, concerns over use of Afghan soil for anti-India activities.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also raised the Afghanistan situation at the special SCO meet and during his address to the United Nations General Assembly in September and also at the G20 virtual meet hosted by Italy this month.

At the SCO CSTO outreach summit, PM highlighted that “transition of power in Afghanistan is not inclusive, and it has happened without negotiation”, essentially listing out New Delhi's red lines.

At the G20 virtual meet on Afghanistan, he emphasized the need for the international community to ensure that Afghanistan has “immediate and unhindered access” to humanitarian assistance.

India has proposed to host an in-person meet of the National Security Advisors (NSA) on Afghanistan in Delhi in November. Many countries in the region and key stakeholders like Russia and Pakistan have been invited.

India has proposed to host an in-person meet of the National Security Advisors (NSA) on Afghanistan in Delhi in November. Many countries in the region and key stakeholders like Russia and Pakistan have been invited. The meet was to take place earlier this year, but it could not materialise. Pakistani sources confirmed that Pakistan's National security advisor Moeed Yusuf received the invitation last week. If his attendance is confirmed, then this will be Pakistan NSA Yusuf's first official visit to Delhi. Both Indian NSA Doval and Pakistani NSA Yusuf were in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, earlier this year for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) NSA meet, but no bilateral meeting took place. Two dates have been proposed for the in-person meet—10th and 11th November—for the meeting in Delhi. Also read | Avoid public executions unless ordered by top court, Taliban regime tells local officials in Afghanistan The proposal to host the meeting comes even as the situation in Afghanistan remains precarious and with the onset of winters, worries have mounted over the deterioration of the humanitarian situation. Last week marked two months since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban militants. The Taliban leadership have visited Qatar, Turkey and Uzbekistan hoping to get recognition and legitimacy for the newly formed government, but so far, no such indication has been given by the global community. In the following week, Russia will be hosting Moscow format of talks involving Taliban, Pakistan, China and India. In response to a WION question on Thursday, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi confirmed India’s presence at the Moscow talks. “We have received an invitation for the Moscow format meeting on Afghanistan on October 20. We will be participating in it. I don’t have final confirmation of who will be attending, but it’s likely that we will be attended at the Joint Secretary level.” Also read | Plans underway to form Afghan government in-exile This will be the second time that India will be publicly seen sitting with the Taliban. On August 31, Indian envoy to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, and Taliban's Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai had met at the Indian embassy in Doha. The Indian ministry of external affairs confirming the meet said that it happened “on the request of the Taliban side”. Also read | US offers condolence payments, relocation to kin of Afghans killed in botched drone attack During the meet, India discussed issues like the safe return of Indian nationals from Afghanistan, concerns over use of Afghan soil for anti-India activities. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also raised the Afghanistan situation at the special SCO meet and during his address to the United Nations General Assembly in September and also at the G20 virtual meet hosted by Italy this month. At the SCO CSTO outreach summit, PM highlighted that “transition of power in Afghanistan is not inclusive, and it has happened without negotiation”, essentially listing out New Delhi's red lines. At the G20 virtual meet on Afghanistan, he emphasized the need for the international community to ensure that Afghanistan has “immediate and unhindered access” to humanitarian assistance.

India to host in-person NSA meet on Afghanistan, Pakistan's Moeed Yusuf invited

India's envoy to United Nations T.S. Tirumurti on Thursday called for an "inclusive dispensation" in Afghanistan.

His comments come days after the Taliban announced its government in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Earlier this week the Taliban had announced a 33-member government, which is being led by Prime Minister&nbsp;Mohammad Hassan Akhund, two&nbsp;deputies, Maulavi Abdul Salam Hanafi and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. 17 ministers in the cabinet&nbsp;are on the United Nation's terror list.

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Speaking at the United Nations Security Meeting on Afghanistan,&nbsp;Tirumurti&nbsp;said, "inclusive dispensation" should "represents all sections of Afghan society", highlighting that a "broad-based, inclusive and representative formation" attained through an "inclusive negotiated political settlement would gain greater international acceptability and legitimacy."

The government announced by the Taliban has no representation of women,&nbsp;no representation from the Hazara community, no ethnic minorities and includes two&nbsp;members of Haqqani, a known terror group.

While the Taliban has been calling the govt, acting, not many in the international community buy that.

This was the first meeting of this month under the Irish Presidency of the security council on Afghanistan. India was the president of the council for August month and had chaired three&nbsp;meetings on Afghanistan, with a resolution being passed as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Indian envoy pointed out to the&nbsp;"substantial and forward-looking"&nbsp;UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2593 resolution on Afghanistan being passed on August 31, which&nbsp;took into account "collective concerns" in particular on terrorism, where it has noted the "commitment of the Taliban not to allow the use of the Afghan soil for terrorism, including from terrorists and terrorist groups designated under resolution 1267."

A number of Pakistan-based international terror groups like Jaish E Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba have been listed under the 1267 resolution.&nbsp;

India has pointed out its concerns regarding the use of Afghan soil&nbsp;a number of times both privately and publicly.

The last being at the BRICS summit and NSA Ajit Doval's meetings with&nbsp;visiting Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, General Nikolay Patrushev.&nbsp;

Recalling the August resolution on Afghanistan, envoy Tirumurti pointed out that it underlined that "Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts" and "commitments made in this regard are respected and adhered to."

During the statement, the Indian envoy called the situation in Afghanistan "very fragile" and being an "immediate neighbour and a friend to its people", the current situation in the country is of "direct concern to us". &nbsp;

Afghanistan witnessed a Taliban takeover in August, with the pace of Taliban's advancement shocking everyone. &nbsp;Talking about the "Uncertainties abound about the future of the Afghan people", the envoy reiterated the "need for the voices of Afghan women to be heard, aspirations of Afghan children to be realized and the rights of minorities to be protected".

Kabul saw a major protest rally, many of its participants being women. Visuals from the rally showed the Taliban beating up women protestors. 2 journalists were also beaten up by the Taliban for covering the rally.&nbsp;India said that the international community needs to "come together, rise above any partisan interests" and to "stand together with the people of Afghanistan in their desire for peace, stability, and security in the country".

On United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan Mandate (UNAMA), the Indian envoy called on members of UNSC to decide the future with a focus "centered on Afghan people and their expectations from the international community to stand by them in this hour of crisis."

India's envoy to United Nations T.S. Tirumurti on Thursday called for an "inclusive dispensation" in Afghanistan. His comments come days after the Taliban announced its government in Afghanistan.

India's envoy to United Nations T.S. Tirumurti on Thursday called for an "inclusive dispensation" in Afghanistan. His comments come days after the Taliban announced its government in Afghanistan. Earlier this week the Taliban had announced a 33-member government, which is being led by Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, two deputies, Maulavi Abdul Salam Hanafi and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. 17 ministers in the cabinet are on the United Nation's terror list. Speaking at the United Nations Security Meeting on Afghanistan, Tirumurti said, "inclusive dispensation" should "represents all sections of Afghan society", highlighting that a "broad-based, inclusive and representative formation" attained through an "inclusive negotiated political settlement would gain greater international acceptability and legitimacy." The government announced by the Taliban has no representation of women, no representation from the Hazara community, no ethnic minorities and includes two members of Haqqani, a known terror group. While the Taliban has been calling the govt, acting, not many in the international community buy that. This was the first meeting of this month under the Irish Presidency of the security council on Afghanistan. India was the president of the council for August month and had chaired three meetings on Afghanistan, with a resolution being passed as well. Indian envoy pointed out to the "substantial and forward-looking" UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2593 resolution on Afghanistan being passed on August 31, which took into account "collective concerns" in particular on terrorism, where it has noted the "commitment of the Taliban not to allow the use of the Afghan soil for terrorism, including from terrorists and terrorist groups designated under resolution 1267." A number of Pakistan-based international terror groups like Jaish E Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba have been listed under the 1267 resolution. India has pointed out its concerns regarding the use of Afghan soil a number of times both privately and publicly. The last being at the BRICS summit and NSA Ajit Doval's meetings with visiting Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, General Nikolay Patrushev. Recalling the August resolution on Afghanistan, envoy Tirumurti pointed out that it underlined that "Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts" and "commitments made in this regard are respected and adhered to." During the statement, the Indian envoy called the situation in Afghanistan "very fragile" and being an "immediate neighbour and a friend to its people", the current situation in the country is of "direct concern to us". Afghanistan witnessed a Taliban takeover in August, with the pace of Taliban's advancement shocking everyone. Talking about the "Uncertainties abound about the future of the Afghan people", the envoy reiterated the "need for the voices of Afghan women to be heard, aspirations of Afghan children to be realized and the rights of minorities to be protected". Kabul saw a major protest rally, many of its participants being women. Visuals from the rally showed the Taliban beating up women protestors. 2 journalists were also beaten up by the Taliban for covering the rally. India said that the international community needs to "come together, rise above any partisan interests" and to "stand together with the people of Afghanistan in their desire for peace, stability, and security in the country". On United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan Mandate (UNAMA), the Indian envoy called on members of UNSC to decide the future with a focus "centered on Afghan people and their expectations from the international community to stand by them in this hour of crisis."

India's envoy Tirumurti calls for inclusive dispensation in Afghanistan at UNSC

India and Russia will hold consultations in Delhi on Wednesday on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, a direct outcome of the talks&nbsp;held between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 24.

In the 45-minute-long conversation, both the leaders had decided to form a “permanent bilateral channel” for consultations on Afghanistan.

The Wednesday talks would be led by Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the visiting Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation General Nikolai&nbsp;Patrushev.&nbsp;

A release by the Ministry of External Affairs said, “At the invitation of National Security Adviser Ajit K Doval, the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, General Nikolay Patrushev is visiting India for high-level India-Russia inter-governmental consultations on Afghanistan from 7-8 September 2021.”

The meeting comes hours after the Taliban announced the name of new leaders of its government. Mullah Hassan Akhund was named as the Prime Minister and he will have two deputies—Mullah Baradar and Mawlavi Hannafi. Sirajuddin Haqqani was named as the interior minister and Amir Khan Muttaqi was chosen as the foreign minister.

Notably, all of them are on the UN terror list, while Sirajuddin Haqqani carries a bounty of $5 million announced by the FBI.&nbsp;

Both India and Russia view Afghanistan as a security challenge. India believes that a turmoil in Afghanistan may pave way for Pakistan-based terror groups to emerge, and for&nbsp;Russia, a spillover of the crisis may have an impact on the former Soviet countries like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan.

Moreover, Modi and Putin are also expected to meet during the BRICS virtual summit on Thursday, hosted by New Delhi.

Apart from that, Putin is expected to visit India later this month for the much-awaited annual India-Russia bilateral summit and deliver the first units of the S-400 Air Defence system.

India and Russia will hold consultations in Delhi on Wednesday on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, a direct outcome of the talks held between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 24.

India and Russia will hold consultations in Delhi on Wednesday on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, a direct outcome of the talks held between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 24. In the 45-minute-long conversation, both the leaders had decided to form a “permanent bilateral channel” for consultations on Afghanistan. The Wednesday talks would be led by Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the visiting Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation General Nikolai Patrushev. A release by the Ministry of External Affairs said, “At the invitation of National Security Adviser Ajit K Doval, the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, General Nikolay Patrushev is visiting India for high-level India-Russia inter-governmental consultations on Afghanistan from 7-8 September 2021.” The meeting comes hours after the Taliban announced the name of new leaders of its government. Mullah Hassan Akhund was named as the Prime Minister and he will have two deputies—Mullah Baradar and Mawlavi Hannafi. Sirajuddin Haqqani was named as the interior minister and Amir Khan Muttaqi was chosen as the foreign minister. Notably, all of them are on the UN terror list, while Sirajuddin Haqqani carries a bounty of $5 million announced by the FBI. Both India and Russia view Afghanistan as a security challenge. India believes that a turmoil in Afghanistan may pave way for Pakistan-based terror groups to emerge, and for Russia, a spillover of the crisis may have an impact on the former Soviet countries like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan. Moreover, Modi and Putin are also expected to meet during the BRICS virtual summit on Thursday, hosted by New Delhi. Apart from that, Putin is expected to visit India later this month for the much-awaited annual India-Russia bilateral summit and deliver the first units of the S-400 Air Defence system.

India, Russia to hold consultations on Afghanistan on Sept 8 in Delhi

Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Russian counterpart Nikolay Petrushev held detailed talks on Wednesday about the possible security implications for India, Russia and the Central Asian region after the Taliban seize power in Afghanistan.

Indian NSA Doval and top Russian security official hold talks on Afghan crisis

Amid still unfolding situation in Afghanistan India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval&nbsp;met his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev on Wednesday (September 8) in New Delhi. The meet had&nbsp;been scheduled just one day&nbsp;the Taliban announced its government on Tuesday. The government has a number of hardliners and does not give representation to any woman

ANI quoted sources to say that Patrushev will also meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

The high-level consultations will reflect on the situation in Afghanistan after US withdrawal.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-judge-taliban-by-its-actions-says-us-on-new-government-411468">We will judge Taliban by its actions, says US on new government</a>

Both NSA`s will also review activities of terrorist groups including Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, threats from drugs, the role of regional countries and details of Indo-Russia cooperation to meet current and future threats and measures to assist Afghanistan, said the sources.

Earlier, Doval hosted the 11th Meeting of the BRICS High Representatives Responsible for National Security through video conferencing on August 31. His Russian counterpart was also present in the meeting.

India raised the issue of cross-border terrorism and activities of groups such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed at the meeting of BRICS representatives responsible for national security and said these groups "enjoy state support" and threaten peace and security.

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid still unfolding situation in Afghanistan India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev on Wednesday (September 8) in New Delhi.

Amid still unfolding situation in Afghanistan India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev on Wednesday (September 8) in New Delhi. The meet had been scheduled just one day the Taliban announced its government on Tuesday. The government has a number of hardliners and does not give representation to any woman ANI quoted sources to say that Patrushev will also meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The high-level consultations will reflect on the situation in Afghanistan after US withdrawal. Also Read | We will judge Taliban by its actions, says US on new government Both NSA`s will also review activities of terrorist groups including Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, threats from drugs, the role of regional countries and details of Indo-Russia cooperation to meet current and future threats and measures to assist Afghanistan, said the sources. Earlier, Doval hosted the 11th Meeting of the BRICS High Representatives Responsible for National Security through video conferencing on August 31. His Russian counterpart was also present in the meeting. India raised the issue of cross-border terrorism and activities of groups such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed at the meeting of BRICS representatives responsible for national security and said these groups "enjoy state support" and threaten peace and security. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian NSA Ajit Doval meets Russian counterpart over Afghanistan

Two persons out of the 146 passengers who landed in Delhi from Afghanistan on Monday were found positive for COVID-19.

Speaking to ANI, Rajendra Kumar, Sub Divisional Magistrate said, "Two people coming from Afghanistan have been found COVID positive. They have been sent to LNJP Hospital."

The second batch of 146 Indian nationals who were evacuated from Afghanistan via Doha arrived in the national capital on Monday on various flights.

India on Sunday brought back nearly 400 people including 329 of its nationals in three different flights.

Earlier on Saturday, government sources told ANI that India has been allowed to operate two flights per day from Kabul to evacuate its nationals stranded in Afghanistan.

Permission has been granted by the American and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces, which have been controlling operations of the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the Afghan capital was taken over by the Taliban on August 15.

Hundreds of Indian nationals have to be taken out of Kabul, which is now under the Taliban's control. India is airlifting its citizens through Dushanbe in Tajikistan and Qatar.

Two persons out of the 146 passengers who landed in Delhi from Afghanistan on Monday were found positive for COVID-19. Speaking to ANI, Rajendra Kumar, Sub Divisional Magistrate said, "Two people coming from Afghanistan have been found COVID positive.

Two persons out of the 146 passengers who landed in Delhi from Afghanistan on Monday were found positive for COVID-19. Speaking to ANI, Rajendra Kumar, Sub Divisional Magistrate said, "Two people coming from Afghanistan have been found COVID positive. They have been sent to LNJP Hospital." The second batch of 146 Indian nationals who were evacuated from Afghanistan via Doha arrived in the national capital on Monday on various flights. India on Sunday brought back nearly 400 people including 329 of its nationals in three different flights. Earlier on Saturday, government sources told ANI that India has been allowed to operate two flights per day from Kabul to evacuate its nationals stranded in Afghanistan. Permission has been granted by the American and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces, which have been controlling operations of the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the Afghan capital was taken over by the Taliban on August 15. Hundreds of Indian nationals have to be taken out of Kabul, which is now under the Taliban's control. India is airlifting its citizens through Dushanbe in Tajikistan and Qatar.

Two passengers from Afghanistan test COVID-19 positive in New Delhi 

With the fall of Kabul on August 15 in the hands of the Taliban, India's biggest focus was to bring back its Diplomatic officials and several stranded nationals, which included journalists, ITBP officials.

Indian air force's two&nbsp;C17s were used to bring back them, the first of which arrived on Monday, and the second one on Tuesday. The message from the top was clear, that "security of our diplomatic staff and official is paramount"

While the first C17 had around 40-45 Indians, the second one had more than 100 Indians including the Indian's envoy to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon.

The complex process which was constantly being monitored by officials including External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval had two key segments, the movement from the Indian embassy in Kabul to the airport and then from the airport to India.

Of the two&nbsp;movements, movements from Embassy to Airport was the risky one, and in that India used its contacts, including locals who maneuvered the convey through the 45-minute long distance.

The biggest worry were the 15 check posts. While most of these check posts were manned by the Taliban, some of them were infiltrated with rouge elements. Elements who could have been inimical to Indian personnel being brought back. In a city with no governance, the biggest risk was the uncertainty of what to come and who to deal with. Sources said, "India in a short time was able to bring out everyone and contrast this with any other countries. We had an all of the Govt approaches. We coordinated with the US govt in the evacuation".

Other than the US govt, India had its C17 parked in Tajikistan for a brief period since Kabul airport didn't have space to park the planes due to increased load. The C17s were time to time flown in from the Ayni airbase of Tajikistan as and when the operation began. Remember the Kabul airport is now under the control of the Americans.

With the evacuation process, while all of the Indian diplomatic staff has been brought back from Afghanistan, but the Indian embassy in Kabul continues to function with help of locals. India also continues to provide consular service, with India announcing an emergency e visa system for the Afghans who want to come to India.

India had already started evacuating its officials from its consulates from Kandahar and Mazar-E-Sharif when the Taliban was making its rapid advances. India had certain "red lines" which if crossed put in motion the process of evacuation, like in the case of Mazar-e-sharif, the fall of Phenergan. But India was still among the last to leave the northern city.

With the fall of Kabul on August 15 in the hands of the Taliban, India's biggest focus was to bring back its Diplomatic officials and several stranded nationals, which included journalists, ITBP officials.

With the fall of Kabul on August 15 in the hands of the Taliban, India's biggest focus was to bring back its Diplomatic officials and several stranded nationals, which included journalists, ITBP officials. Indian air force's two C17s were used to bring back them, the first of which arrived on Monday, and the second one on Tuesday. The message from the top was clear, that "security of our diplomatic staff and official is paramount" While the first C17 had around 40-45 Indians, the second one had more than 100 Indians including the Indian's envoy to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon. The complex process which was constantly being monitored by officials including External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval had two key segments, the movement from the Indian embassy in Kabul to the airport and then from the airport to India. Of the two movements, movements from Embassy to Airport was the risky one, and in that India used its contacts, including locals who maneuvered the convey through the 45-minute long distance. The biggest worry were the 15 check posts. While most of these check posts were manned by the Taliban, some of them were infiltrated with rouge elements. Elements who could have been inimical to Indian personnel being brought back. In a city with no governance, the biggest risk was the uncertainty of what to come and who to deal with. Sources said, "India in a short time was able to bring out everyone and contrast this with any other countries. We had an all of the Govt approaches. We coordinated with the US govt in the evacuation". Other than the US govt, India had its C17 parked in Tajikistan for a brief period since Kabul airport didn't have space to park the planes due to increased load. The C17s were time to time flown in from the Ayni airbase of Tajikistan as and when the operation began. Remember the Kabul airport is now under the control of the Americans. With the evacuation process, while all of the Indian diplomatic staff has been brought back from Afghanistan, but the Indian embassy in Kabul continues to function with help of locals. India also continues to provide consular service, with India announcing an emergency e visa system for the Afghans who want to come to India. India had already started evacuating its officials from its consulates from Kandahar and Mazar-E-Sharif when the Taliban was making its rapid advances. India had certain "red lines" which if crossed put in motion the process of evacuation, like in the case of Mazar-e-sharif, the fall of Phenergan. But India was still among the last to leave the northern city.

India's Kabul evacuation: US, Tajik support & a long drive crossing 15 Taliban check posts

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in New Delhi on a two-day India visit. On Wednesday, Blinken will hold extensive talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and meet National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi before leaving for Kuwait.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in New Delhi on a two-day visit

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken to visit India today. On Wednesday, Blinken will hold extensive talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and meet National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi before leaving for Kuwait.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken departs for New Delhi

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit India on July 27. This will be his first visit to India. Blinken will have meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

US Secy of State Antony Blinken to visit India, meet PM Modi

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval proposes an action plan against terrror groups operating in Pakistan like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). He also backed an MoU between SCO and FATF to eliminate save havens for terrorists in order to curb cross-border terrorism.

NSA Doval proposes action plan against Pakistan-based terror groups

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has proposed an "action plan" against Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) NSAs meet on Wednesday.

The action to be taken on these terror groups has been proposed under SCO framework.

LeT and JeM has been responsible for many terror attacks in India, especially in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. JeM, created with the support of Pakistan spy agency, was responsible for the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 Indian soldiers died.

During the meet, which was also attended by Pakistan NSA Moeed Yusuf, Indian side also called for full implementation of UN resolutions and targetted sanctions against UN-designated terrorist individuals and entities.

Pakistan hosts one of the largest number of UN listed international terrorists. It has been seen to have been lax on efforts to bring them to book, so much so that Islamabad even applied for 'pensions' for listed terrorist like Hafiz Saeed. Saeed is the founder of LeT.

During the in-person meet in Tajik Capital Dushanbe, Indian NSA "strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations", sources said, pointing out that "perpetrators of terrorism including cross-border terror attacks should be expeditiously brought to justice."

More than a decade after the 26/11 terror attacks, Pakistan still has to act the perpetrators who are inside the country.

Interestingly, India also emphasised on adoption of international standards to counter terror financing including an MOU between SCO and Financial Action Task Force (FATF). It is an anti-terror-financing body.&nbsp;

The NSA underlined that in order to effectively combat terrorism, we need to monitor new technologies used by terrorists. This included use of drones and misuse of dark web, artificial intelligence, blockchain and social media.

During the meet, he highlighted connectivity projects like Chahbahar, INSTC, regional air corridors which are leading to "economic gains and building trust" but pointed out that "connectivity must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity".&nbsp;

China's mega infrastructure programme China Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC passes through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. This has been a cause of concern for New Delhi, which has consistently raised matter with Beijing.

On Afghanistan, Doval called the need to preserve gains made in last two decades in Afghanistan and give top priority to welfare of its people &amp; extended full support to SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan, "which should be more active."

At the SCO meet, Doval had over 2 hours long meeting with Russian NSA Nikolai Patrushev during which issues of mutual interest were discussed.

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has proposed an "action plan" against Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) NSAs meet on Wednesday.

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has proposed an "action plan" against Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) NSAs meet on Wednesday. The action to be taken on these terror groups has been proposed under SCO framework. LeT and JeM has been responsible for many terror attacks in India, especially in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. JeM, created with the support of Pakistan spy agency, was responsible for the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 Indian soldiers died. During the meet, which was also attended by Pakistan NSA Moeed Yusuf, Indian side also called for full implementation of UN resolutions and targetted sanctions against UN-designated terrorist individuals and entities. Pakistan hosts one of the largest number of UN listed international terrorists. It has been seen to have been lax on efforts to bring them to book, so much so that Islamabad even applied for 'pensions' for listed terrorist like Hafiz Saeed. Saeed is the founder of LeT. During the in-person meet in Tajik Capital Dushanbe, Indian NSA "strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations", sources said, pointing out that "perpetrators of terrorism including cross-border terror attacks should be expeditiously brought to justice." More than a decade after the 26/11 terror attacks, Pakistan still has to act the perpetrators who are inside the country. Interestingly, India also emphasised on adoption of international standards to counter terror financing including an MOU between SCO and Financial Action Task Force (FATF). It is an anti-terror-financing body. The NSA underlined that in order to effectively combat terrorism, we need to monitor new technologies used by terrorists. This included use of drones and misuse of dark web, artificial intelligence, blockchain and social media. During the meet, he highlighted connectivity projects like Chahbahar, INSTC, regional air corridors which are leading to "economic gains and building trust" but pointed out that "connectivity must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity". China's mega infrastructure programme China Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC passes through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. This has been a cause of concern for New Delhi, which has consistently raised matter with Beijing. On Afghanistan, Doval called the need to preserve gains made in last two decades in Afghanistan and give top priority to welfare of its people & extended full support to SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan, "which should be more active." At the SCO meet, Doval had over 2 hours long meeting with Russian NSA Nikolai Patrushev during which issues of mutual interest were discussed.

NSA Ajit Doval proposes action against Pakistan terror groups at SCO meet

India likes to see a transition in Afghanistan that is "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled".&nbsp;

The question is: How will New Delhi enable that?

Watch |&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

The answer to this is: by engaging constructively.

The Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib told us this morning he had a conversation with India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/has-taliban-really-changed-378054">Has Taliban really changed?</a>

India's stakes are high and External Affair Minister S Jaishankar shared with us that India is running development projects in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.

However, New Delhi's approach has met with criticism too.

In a conversation at Stanford University this week, former US National Security Adviser HR McMaster spoke about the fears of Pakistan.

He spoke about how Islamabad needs to maintain influence in Afghanistan because it fears a strategic encirclement by India.

Jaishankar said there is an attempt to create a misleading narrative around New Delhi's assistance to Afghanistan.

"Look at our record," Jaishankar said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

India likes to see a transition in Afghanistan that is "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled". The question is: How will New Delhi enable that? Watch | The answer to this is: by engaging constructively.

India likes to see a transition in Afghanistan that is "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled". The question is: How will New Delhi enable that? Watch | The answer to this is: by engaging constructively. The Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib told us this morning he had a conversation with India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Also read | Has Taliban really changed? India's stakes are high and External Affair Minister S Jaishankar shared with us that India is running development projects in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. However, New Delhi's approach has met with criticism too. In a conversation at Stanford University this week, former US National Security Adviser HR McMaster spoke about the fears of Pakistan. He spoke about how Islamabad needs to maintain influence in Afghanistan because it fears a strategic encirclement by India. Jaishankar said there is an attempt to create a misleading narrative around New Delhi's assistance to Afghanistan. "Look at our record," Jaishankar said.

Decoding India's role as Afghanistan set to begin a new chapter

Against the backdrop of US President Joe Biden's announcement of the withdrawal of American troops, Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib and India's NSA Ajit Doval spoke on Friday morning. This is the first-ever high-level engagement between the two sides and comes just two days after the announcement came from Washington.

Mohib, speaking at an event virtually, confirmed the call and said, "I spoke to Ajit Doval this morning about our views and shared what we think should go and happen".

Watch |&nbsp;

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India supports "Afghan-led , Afghan-owned, and Afghan controlled" peace process. In the last two decades, since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in New York, New Delhi had emerged as the country's major development partner.&nbsp;

The Afghan NSA, speaking at the event, slammed Pakistan for its support to the Taliban. Without taking the country by name, he pointed out, "any further push means that there is direct involvement in, by a neighbour which can be very dangerous. Nationalistic forces in Afghanistan are very angry, upset over this."

Warning that If this "limit is passed, then I think, there would be a huge problem for the said neighbour in their country by all Afghans who are there and from within Afghanistan. There could be huge blowback which can be destructive for the neighbour".

In the past, Taliban top leadership like Mullah Baradar have been coming to Pakistan, and not only holding a meeting with foreign minister Qureshi and Pakistani Prime minister Imran Khan but also their fighters in the country. This has irked the Afghan government, which has strongly raised the matter with Islamabad.

On Taliban, he said, "Taliban has no reason to continue violence in Afghanistan, the reason, why they continued, are totally out the picture and its time they make real peace with Afghan govt, become part of the mainstream political society".

"They need to know, they can't take power by force, they can start a civil war but not come to power through that."

He expressed confidence in the capabilities of Afghan National Defense and Security Force (ANDSAF).

He said, "I see it as a time where Afghan take care of the full security situation in our country...Afghanistan doesn't need US combat troops on the ground, what we need is support to ANDSAF, which we have been told will continue."&nbsp;

Since 2014, ANDSAF has been in charge, and since the US Taliban pact of last year, 94 per cent&nbsp;of combat offensive operations have been done by them independently.

Dismissing the parallels in Afghanistan when it comes to the 1990s, Mohib said, "Afghanistan is not what it was, but one thing is for certain, those parallels do not reflect the realities of Afghanistan".

Against the backdrop of US President Joe Biden's announcement of the withdrawal of American troops, Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib and India's NSA Ajit Doval spoke on Friday morning.

Against the backdrop of US President Joe Biden's announcement of the withdrawal of American troops, Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib and India's NSA Ajit Doval spoke on Friday morning. This is the first-ever high-level engagement between the two sides and comes just two days after the announcement came from Washington. Mohib, speaking at an event virtually, confirmed the call and said, "I spoke to Ajit Doval this morning about our views and shared what we think should go and happen". Watch | India supports "Afghan-led , Afghan-owned, and Afghan controlled" peace process. In the last two decades, since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in New York, New Delhi had emerged as the country's major development partner. The Afghan NSA, speaking at the event, slammed Pakistan for its support to the Taliban. Without taking the country by name, he pointed out, "any further push means that there is direct involvement in, by a neighbour which can be very dangerous. Nationalistic forces in Afghanistan are very angry, upset over this." Warning that If this "limit is passed, then I think, there would be a huge problem for the said neighbour in their country by all Afghans who are there and from within Afghanistan. There could be huge blowback which can be destructive for the neighbour". In the past, Taliban top leadership like Mullah Baradar have been coming to Pakistan, and not only holding a meeting with foreign minister Qureshi and Pakistani Prime minister Imran Khan but also their fighters in the country. This has irked the Afghan government, which has strongly raised the matter with Islamabad. On Taliban, he said, "Taliban has no reason to continue violence in Afghanistan, the reason, why they continued, are totally out the picture and its time they make real peace with Afghan govt, become part of the mainstream political society". "They need to know, they can't take power by force, they can start a civil war but not come to power through that." He expressed confidence in the capabilities of Afghan National Defense and Security Force (ANDSAF). He said, "I see it as a time where Afghan take care of the full security situation in our country...Afghanistan doesn't need US combat troops on the ground, what we need is support to ANDSAF, which we have been told will continue." Since 2014, ANDSAF has been in charge, and since the US Taliban pact of last year, 94 per cent of combat offensive operations have been done by them independently. Dismissing the parallels in Afghanistan when it comes to the 1990s, Mohib said, "Afghanistan is not what it was, but one thing is for certain, those parallels do not reflect the realities of Afghanistan".

Afghan, Indian NSAs speak in the backdrop of Biden's announcement of troop withdrawal 

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Kabul, in the first high-level visit from Delhi to Afghanistan amid the peace process.

During his two-day visit, he met his counterpart Afghan NSA Hamdullah Mohib and called on Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

During NSA's meet with President Ghani, counter-terror and building regional consensus for supporting peace in Afghanistan were the key topics.

President Ghani said the "Afghan Defense and Security Forces are guarantors of stability in Afghanistan and are at the forefront of the war against regional and global terrorism." Adding, "Afghanistan and India in joint efforts with NATO and the United States will be able to succeed in the fight against terrorism."

Last year saw three&nbsp;high-level visits from Afghanistan. These include&nbsp;a visit by Abdul Rashid Dostum, former vice president of Afghanistan, Chairperson of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Dr Abdullah Abdullah, and Senior Afghan politician Ata Mohammad Noor.

India and Afghanistan have had a close engagement with New Delhi being the biggest financial support of the country in the region.

Other than mega infrastructure projects like the India Afghanistan friendship dam, and the Afghan Parliament, India has been helping the capacity building especially by providing scholarships to many Afghan students. &nbsp;

During the COVID crisis, India sent 75,000 tonnes of wheat and 20 tonnes of life-saving medicines and other equipment to Afghanistan.

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Kabul, in the first high-level visit from Delhi to Afghanistan amid the peace process. During his two-day visit, he met his counterpart Afghan NSA Hamdullah Mohib and called on Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Kabul, in the first high-level visit from Delhi to Afghanistan amid the peace process. During his two-day visit, he met his counterpart Afghan NSA Hamdullah Mohib and called on Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. During NSA's meet with President Ghani, counter-terror and building regional consensus for supporting peace in Afghanistan were the key topics. President Ghani said the "Afghan Defense and Security Forces are guarantors of stability in Afghanistan and are at the forefront of the war against regional and global terrorism." Adding, "Afghanistan and India in joint efforts with NATO and the United States will be able to succeed in the fight against terrorism." Last year saw three high-level visits from Afghanistan. These include a visit by Abdul Rashid Dostum, former vice president of Afghanistan, Chairperson of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Dr Abdullah Abdullah, and Senior Afghan politician Ata Mohammad Noor. India and Afghanistan have had a close engagement with New Delhi being the biggest financial support of the country in the region. Other than mega infrastructure projects like the India Afghanistan friendship dam, and the Afghan Parliament, India has been helping the capacity building especially by providing scholarships to many Afghan students. During the COVID crisis, India sent 75,000 tonnes of wheat and 20 tonnes of life-saving medicines and other equipment to Afghanistan.

With focus on Afghan peace process, India's NSA Doval in Kabul

If ever an objective history of South Asia's major strategic events is written, the year 2019 will be remembered as a watershed year. The chain of events that began with the Pulwama suicide bombing (February 2019) and that finally led to the abrogation of Article 370 (August 2019) significantly tipped the strategic balance in India’s favour.&nbsp;

2014 onwards, India left the debris of ‘strategic restraint’ behind and redefined the conflict dynamics in terms of its new National Security Advisor (NSA) Mr Doval’s ‘doctrine of defensive offence.’ It was a significant doctrinal shift which found its first manifestation in Uri surgical strikes (2016). Fed on India’s decades of defensive force posture, Pakistan did not realise it until Balakot happened.&nbsp;

Further, in its more sophisticated form, venturing beyond the strict military domains, the doctrine of ‘defensive offense’ found its finest expression in the abrogation of Article 370, leaving Pakistan and China, the expansionist and revisionist brotherhood of Asia, in a quandary; a state of fix, rendering them not only increasingly clueless about a future course of action but also extremely vulnerable to strategic and tactical blunders.&nbsp;

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Quite expectedly, such blunders have flown from Beijing and Rawalpindi in an unrestrained manner, with a desperate intent to reclaim the strategic edge against India. However, they have only exposed and weakened them further in the war of narratives.&nbsp;

Faced with embarrassing disasters in diplomatic assaults against India, bitter internal political turbulence, a worsening economy, and fierce resistance in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pashtun areas, and Baluchistan, Islamabad has openly started alleging India of fomenting terror in Pakistan. However, the fact is that it was the abrogation of Article 370, which took the winds from Pakistan's sails.&nbsp;

What has changed after August 5, 2019?

After the historical embarrassment of 1971 that ripped off a geographical portion from Pakistan, which had been in the forefront of the entire Pakistan movement, masterminds of GHQ Rawalpindi could never come out of the shock and, after that, single-mindedly focussed on disturbing and ultimately occupying Kashmir.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khans-kashmir-campaign-bombs-at-islamic-meet-346206">Pakistan PM Imran Khan's Kashmir campaign bombs at Islamic meet</a>

Fully understanding the impossibility of defeating India in a conventional war, ISI masterminds began exploring the sub-conventional tactics to gain a strategic edge over India. To that end, the insurgency in Punjab offered a ready ground to destabilize India with a minimum effort and investment.&nbsp;

For Pakistan, gaining a foothold in Afghanistan to secure ‘strategic depth’ against India's advancing armies in the event of a conventional war was undoubtedly a prerequisite for a long-term hybrid and proxy war against India.&nbsp;

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The 1980s brought the much-needed American support for Pakistan in arming and training Mujahideens against the Soviets and facilitated Pakistan with a firm foothold in Afghanistan. The American GIs were leaving Kabul in 1988 after the Soviet withdrawal. for Pakistan, the stage was ripe for diverting the Afghan Jihadis towards Kashmir. Massive petrodollar funding and a decade-long Afghan experience in running proxies came in handy to stir up an armed insurrection in Kashmir.

The ISI-sponsored bloody phase of jihadi terrorism that began in the 1990s continued unabated, costing thousands of innocent lives. Over the last three decades, Pakistan's proxy war increased in intensity and ideological fervor.&nbsp;

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During the last three decades, the militancy in Kashmir, although it had its phases of ups and downs, was strategically planned and executed by masterminds located on the other side of the Indian border. India experimented with a range of counter-terrorism measures, bringing sporadic periods of relief.&nbsp;

However, the broader trajectory was about Pakistan creating and strengthening a supporting constituency thriving in a fertile ecosystem of Islamism, separatism, and terrorism. Adversary's success manifested itself in its complex yet robust capabilities to shake the Indian state during the unrest of 2016, post-Burhan Wani's encounter death. The Kashmir valley was engulfed with massive civil unrest and agitation within a few days, with casualty figures of 42 in the first week itself.

Moreover, something entirely financed and orchestrated by Pakistan's deep-state was projected by Pakistan as gross human rights violations by an occupied force in Kashmir. Burhan Wani, a self-proclaimed supporter of the Islamic Caliphate in Kashmir and Hizbul Mujahideen commander, was portrayed as a young and innocent hero dying for a cause in front of Kashmiris and the world community. Pakistan had not only created a highly radicalized social milieu that made Jihadism a dominant narrative but also excelled in the war of narratives, convincingly selling its lies for years to an array of civil rights activists, governments, and scholars in the west.&nbsp;

However, in one masterstroke of August 2019, India gave a crushing blow to Pakistan's three decades of investment in Kashmir. It was something that Pakistan's intelligence machinery did not anticipate. As a result, they were handicapped from achieving their 'Destabilizing Kashmir project' in the absence of Article 370, which acted as a catalyst till then. Article 370 was an edifice, an overarching umbrella under which Pakistan's proxy jihadists, assets in the media, academic, religious, cultural bodies, mainstream politics, academia, and the administration thrived and flourished.&nbsp;

Though India displayed some clarity about its understanding of how detrimental Article 370 was to safeguarding its key interests in Kashmir, when it denuded the article of much of its teeth in the 60s, over time, Delhi lost the clarity and became increasingly myopic in its understanding. A narrow vision led the focus on eroding Sheikh Abdullah's base and install a pliable government through democratic means, even if that involved pampering radical Islamists and separatists.&nbsp;

In parallel, Pakistan's propaganda machinery and its assets in the mainstream politics of Kashmir had skillfully crafted the narrative of Article 370, being the bedrock of Kashmir's identity. Its proxies instilled the popular consciousness with the imaginary fears of central government populating the state with outsiders in the absence of 370.&nbsp;

On the Indian side, successive political dispensations increasingly became entrapped in the narrative mentioned above sold by Pakistan's proxies. As a result, Delhi could never give serious thought on India's strategic interests in Kashmir. For decades, Article 370 was an untouchable default status that was supposed to be guarded till eternity.&nbsp;

Today, a year after its abrogation, Pakistan has lost the patronizing, protective, and enabling superstructure. The Pakistani proxies in Kashmir face the most significant existential crisis. The ecosystem of Islamist radicalization, separatism, and terrorism carefully created with lies, deceit and violence appears to be collapsing like dominos.

Interestingly, the façade of Article 370 under which Pakistan's proxy movement thrived was in itself fragile. Article 370 was a temporary and transient feature of the Indian Constitution, which could be amended or abrogated within the Indian parliamentary framework.&nbsp;

The autonomy guaranteed to Kashmir under the provisions of the article helped Pakistan in propagating its agenda to sell the fabricated story of Kashmir being a disputed territory.&nbsp;

Further, the militancy and separatist movement, which flourished under the patronage of Article 370, strengthened Pakistan's version of Kashmir as a disputed territory in the eyes of the world community and the local Kashmiris.&nbsp;

However, after its demise, the smokescreens have vanished, and not only the strategic experts but also the ordinary voices of Kashmir have openly started questioning, discussing, and condemning Pakistan's illegal and violent annexation of a part of Kashmir in 1947, the genesis of the Kashmir conflict.&nbsp;

Contrary to the annual condemnation of October 26, 1947, the day when Indian armies entered Kashmir, as a 'black day,' this year, to everyone's surprise, public squares of Srinagar were spattered with hoardings condemning October 22 as a 'black day', the day when Pakistan's Kabailis attacked Kashmir&nbsp;

The post-370 Kashmir has witnessed an intense crackdown on Pakistan-supported radical Islamist organizations like Jamaat-i-Islami and separatist organizations. National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) onslaught on terror financing has cracked the financial backbone of terrorism.&nbsp;

The security forces have neutralized the entire terrorist leadership of the local and foreign terrorist orgaizations. The recruitment of new terrorist cadres has drastically come down. Infiltration has become nearly impossible. The mainstream politicians and separatists like the Hurriyat stand exposed as entities who sustained the widespread resentment against India by indulging in massive corruption and mal-governance on the one hand and squarely putting the blame on Delhi's step-motherly treatment.&nbsp;

NIA's action against many of them in terror-related cases further confirms their dubious loyalties in the popular perception.

In Kashmir, a new political leadership with a nationalist outlook is emerging at the grassroots. Pakistan's desperate attempts to orchestrate terror attacks, civil unrest, and rally the diplomatic community against India on global platforms, have failed miserably. Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) has disappointed Pakistan and refused to bandwagon with it on several occasions.&nbsp;

There are no buyers in the Western World for Pakistan's foul cries over the abrogation of Article 370. The United States and most European states convincingly approved India's Kashmir move as a dire necessity to prevent Jihadist terrorism from taking deeper roots in Kashmir on the pattern of Syria and Iraq. &nbsp;

Except for the backing of Turkey and China, Pakistan stands isolated. Further, the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan have become fiercely vocal against Pakistan's demographic engineering and in its decision to declare the region as its sixth province, in an abject surrender to China's dictators.&nbsp;

Local resistance against the forcible occupation of Gigit-Baltistan and flooding the area with Sunni extremists has not only intensified, but it has also become a subject-matter of serious discussion in the western capitals. In Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), similar fears have given rise to a strong resistance movement.&nbsp;

On the issue of cross-border terrorism, Pakistan knows it well that post-2014, India's approach has changed. &nbsp;Now Delhi responds with surgical strikes and air raids, and one more Pulwama will most certainly be reciprocated with something way bigger than Balakot, which Pakistan cannot afford.&nbsp;

Further, the post-370 Kashmir has also started seriously questioning China's illegal possession over Aksai Chin. Recent India-China stand-off and Pakistan's continuous ceasefire violations have cleared the vestiges of any doubts lasting about the China-Pak duo's collusion and expansionist threat in the near future.&nbsp;

Internally, India’s Kashmir move has led to a massive embarrassment for Imran Khan's government and the Pak army. The Opposition has alleged Imran Khan's government of surrendering to India. Today, in the form of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Pak army and the 'selected' PM Imran Khan's government face a compelling popular protest movement.&nbsp;

The situation has turned alarming for Pak army because, in addition to the mainstream political parties, it also includes ethical nationalist entities such as Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and Baluchistan National Party, hitherto seen as antithetical to the very idea of Pakistan.&nbsp;

Further, PDM is demanding minimising the role of Pakistani army and intelligence agencies from the political and developmental matters, a direct challenge to the mighty army. Bajwa and Imran, both, are at the lowest ebb of their credibility.&nbsp;

For decades, the Pakistan army used Kashmir to grab a disproportionate share in the national budget and cultivate hyper-nationalism and Islamism. Under the latter as a cover, GHQ Rawalpindi crushed all the religious, cultural, and linguistic minorities.&nbsp;

The ghosts of those massacres in Baluchistan, Pashtun lands, and Sindh are returning to haunt Pakistan. &nbsp;It is a reminder for Pakistan that internal turmoil is rooted in its birth and the fundamental philosophy of its existence, and a redux of 1971, is possible.&nbsp;

Nevertheless, Pakistan's generals refused to learn from the past and continue to publish substandard conspiracy theories blaming India for its internal problems. It appears as though Rawalpindi's is pushed back to the pavilion since the abrogation of Article 370, and Pakistan's grand new strategy is concocting lies of India aiding terrorism on Pakistani soil from Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Some Pakistani generals blame India's intelligence brass for reversing the 'paradigm of terror' by inciting Pashtuns, Baluchis, and Sindhis. However, the fact is that the 'paradigm of terror' created by ISI masterminds has boomeranged and backfired, something which was bound to happen.&nbsp;

Despite the turn of events, a frustrated Pakistan openly advocates the revival and strengthening of a terrorist base against India. By doing so, they stand exposed as sponsors of terror in the region.

 
Why everyone missed the elephant in the room?

Today, one feels astounded why even the astute strategic analysts could not foresee the aftershocks of abrogating Article 370

The answer lies in the fact that the overwhelming political posturing surrounding BJP's long-held objective of repealing Article 370 more or less precluded an objective and scholarly analysis of its long-term strategic implications in South Asia and beyond.&nbsp;

India's intelligence czars, diplomats, and mighty bureaucrats of North Block saw it as a political prop, an unrealistic and unattainable dream, finding its best utility in garnering votes during elections. Such a notion was firmly entrenched in their minds when the last Vajpayee-led BJP government refrained from tampering with article 370.&nbsp;

Among India's civil society, security experts, IR scholars, and public intellectuals making even a reference to abrogating Article 370 was shunned and led to condemnation and banishment as a right-wing fascist. For Pakistan, it came handy to believe that Indians would never think of this far-fetched dream given their three-decade-long vulnerabilities to the complex web of false and fictitious narratives projected by their deep-state and doing so quite successfully with the western capitals, activists, scribes, and scholars.&nbsp;

As a result, serious scholarly analyses of scraping Article 370, more or less, remained a taboo in the academic and strategic world. &nbsp;At best, it remained a fanciful dream of Hindu-nationalist groups, and at worst a strategic blunder something which the majority of India's diplomats, spies, scribes scholars, and bureaucrats, trained in the socialist left-overs of cold-war era traditions, would abhor as totally uncharacteristic of India's idealistic approach in strategic affairs. &nbsp;

Such a trend continues even after more than a year has passed since the abrogation of Article 370. In India's strategic and political community, one still comes across a tendency to condemn the move as an ill-thought action resulting from the lack of strategic vision, which will only add to India's security challenges.&nbsp;

Maybe dubious loyalties, ulterior motives, vested political interests, individual biases, ideological barriers, and nonetheless inadequate analytical skills can provide a better explanation for this aversion to engaging in an objective analysis of the strategic implications of Delhi's Kashmir move and give the due credit to those who planned and implemented such a master strategic and diplomatic stroke.&nbsp;

It can be stated with an absolute certainty that post-2014, New Delhi has changed, and the change is firm, decisive and irreversible. &nbsp;Nevertheless, the doctrinal shift in India’s strategic approach is still evolving in its myriad aspects hence; maybe it is too early to define its long-term strategic implications.&nbsp;

However, it is certain that under no circumstances Pak establishment can indulge in Pulwama or Mumbai like adventures anymore. Whether one more Mumbai or Pulwama will cost Pakistan Baluchistan or not, is yet a matter of conjecture and grapewine in the intelligence world. Nevertheless, it is giving sleepless nights to Pakistani generals.

To conclude, Pakistan’s Kashmir Project has lost its steam. In the global arena, it will not be long before General Bajwa's Pakistan is blacklisted. In the future, maybe the situation could turn worse, with Pakistan facing a threat from internal unrest and revolts.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer)

If ever an objective history of South Asia's major strategic events is written, the year 2019 will be remembered as a watershed year. The chain of events that began with the Pulwama suicide bombing (February 2019) and that finally led to the abrogation of Article 370 (August 2019) significantly tipped the strategic balance in India’s favour.

If ever an objective history of South Asia's major strategic events is written, the year 2019 will be remembered as a watershed year. The chain of events that began with the Pulwama suicide bombing (February 2019) and that finally led to the abrogation of Article 370 (August 2019) significantly tipped the strategic balance in India’s favour. 2014 onwards, India left the debris of ‘strategic restraint’ behind and redefined the conflict dynamics in terms of its new National Security Advisor (NSA) Mr Doval’s ‘doctrine of defensive offence.’ It was a significant doctrinal shift which found its first manifestation in Uri surgical strikes (2016). Fed on India’s decades of defensive force posture, Pakistan did not realise it until Balakot happened. Further, in its more sophisticated form, venturing beyond the strict military domains, the doctrine of ‘defensive offense’ found its finest expression in the abrogation of Article 370, leaving Pakistan and China, the expansionist and revisionist brotherhood of Asia, in a quandary; a state of fix, rendering them not only increasingly clueless about a future course of action but also extremely vulnerable to strategic and tactical blunders. × Quite expectedly, such blunders have flown from Beijing and Rawalpindi in an unrestrained manner, with a desperate intent to reclaim the strategic edge against India. However, they have only exposed and weakened them further in the war of narratives. Faced with embarrassing disasters in diplomatic assaults against India, bitter internal political turbulence, a worsening economy, and fierce resistance in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pashtun areas, and Baluchistan, Islamabad has openly started alleging India of fomenting terror in Pakistan. However, the fact is that it was the abrogation of Article 370, which took the winds from Pakistan's sails. What has changed after August 5, 2019? After the historical embarrassment of 1971 that ripped off a geographical portion from Pakistan, which had been in the forefront of the entire Pakistan movement, masterminds of GHQ Rawalpindi could never come out of the shock and, after that, single-mindedly focussed on disturbing and ultimately occupying Kashmir. Also Read | Pakistan PM Imran Khan's Kashmir campaign bombs at Islamic meet Fully understanding the impossibility of defeating India in a conventional war, ISI masterminds began exploring the sub-conventional tactics to gain a strategic edge over India. To that end, the insurgency in Punjab offered a ready ground to destabilize India with a minimum effort and investment. For Pakistan, gaining a foothold in Afghanistan to secure ‘strategic depth’ against India's advancing armies in the event of a conventional war was undoubtedly a prerequisite for a long-term hybrid and proxy war against India. × The 1980s brought the much-needed American support for Pakistan in arming and training Mujahideens against the Soviets and facilitated Pakistan with a firm foothold in Afghanistan. The American GIs were leaving Kabul in 1988 after the Soviet withdrawal. for Pakistan, the stage was ripe for diverting the Afghan Jihadis towards Kashmir. Massive petrodollar funding and a decade-long Afghan experience in running proxies came in handy to stir up an armed insurrection in Kashmir. The ISI-sponsored bloody phase of jihadi terrorism that began in the 1990s continued unabated, costing thousands of innocent lives. Over the last three decades, Pakistan's proxy war increased in intensity and ideological fervor. × During the last three decades, the militancy in Kashmir, although it had its phases of ups and downs, was strategically planned and executed by masterminds located on the other side of the Indian border. India experimented with a range of counter-terrorism measures, bringing sporadic periods of relief. However, the broader trajectory was about Pakistan creating and strengthening a supporting constituency thriving in a fertile ecosystem of Islamism, separatism, and terrorism. Adversary's success manifested itself in its complex yet robust capabilities to shake the Indian state during the unrest of 2016, post-Burhan Wani's encounter death. The Kashmir valley was engulfed with massive civil unrest and agitation within a few days, with casualty figures of 42 in the first week itself. Moreover, something entirely financed and orchestrated by Pakistan's deep-state was projected by Pakistan as gross human rights violations by an occupied force in Kashmir. Burhan Wani, a self-proclaimed supporter of the Islamic Caliphate in Kashmir and Hizbul Mujahideen commander, was portrayed as a young and innocent hero dying for a cause in front of Kashmiris and the world community. Pakistan had not only created a highly radicalized social milieu that made Jihadism a dominant narrative but also excelled in the war of narratives, convincingly selling its lies for years to an array of civil rights activists, governments, and scholars in the west. However, in one masterstroke of August 2019, India gave a crushing blow to Pakistan's three decades of investment in Kashmir. It was something that Pakistan's intelligence machinery did not anticipate. As a result, they were handicapped from achieving their 'Destabilizing Kashmir project' in the absence of Article 370, which acted as a catalyst till then. Article 370 was an edifice, an overarching umbrella under which Pakistan's proxy jihadists, assets in the media, academic, religious, cultural bodies, mainstream politics, academia, and the administration thrived and flourished. Though India displayed some clarity about its understanding of how detrimental Article 370 was to safeguarding its key interests in Kashmir, when it denuded the article of much of its teeth in the 60s, over time, Delhi lost the clarity and became increasingly myopic in its understanding. A narrow vision led the focus on eroding Sheikh Abdullah's base and install a pliable government through democratic means, even if that involved pampering radical Islamists and separatists. In parallel, Pakistan's propaganda machinery and its assets in the mainstream politics of Kashmir had skillfully crafted the narrative of Article 370, being the bedrock of Kashmir's identity. Its proxies instilled the popular consciousness with the imaginary fears of central government populating the state with outsiders in the absence of 370. On the Indian side, successive political dispensations increasingly became entrapped in the narrative mentioned above sold by Pakistan's proxies. As a result, Delhi could never give serious thought on India's strategic interests in Kashmir. For decades, Article 370 was an untouchable default status that was supposed to be guarded till eternity. Today, a year after its abrogation, Pakistan has lost the patronizing, protective, and enabling superstructure. The Pakistani proxies in Kashmir face the most significant existential crisis. The ecosystem of Islamist radicalization, separatism, and terrorism carefully created with lies, deceit and violence appears to be collapsing like dominos. Interestingly, the façade of Article 370 under which Pakistan's proxy movement thrived was in itself fragile. Article 370 was a temporary and transient feature of the Indian Constitution, which could be amended or abrogated within the Indian parliamentary framework. The autonomy guaranteed to Kashmir under the provisions of the article helped Pakistan in propagating its agenda to sell the fabricated story of Kashmir being a disputed territory. Further, the militancy and separatist movement, which flourished under the patronage of Article 370, strengthened Pakistan's version of Kashmir as a disputed territory in the eyes of the world community and the local Kashmiris. However, after its demise, the smokescreens have vanished, and not only the strategic experts but also the ordinary voices of Kashmir have openly started questioning, discussing, and condemning Pakistan's illegal and violent annexation of a part of Kashmir in 1947, the genesis of the Kashmir conflict. Contrary to the annual condemnation of October 26, 1947, the day when Indian armies entered Kashmir, as a 'black day,' this year, to everyone's surprise, public squares of Srinagar were spattered with hoardings condemning October 22 as a 'black day', the day when Pakistan's Kabailis attacked Kashmir The post-370 Kashmir has witnessed an intense crackdown on Pakistan-supported radical Islamist organizations like Jamaat-i-Islami and separatist organizations. National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) onslaught on terror financing has cracked the financial backbone of terrorism. The security forces have neutralized the entire terrorist leadership of the local and foreign terrorist orgaizations. The recruitment of new terrorist cadres has drastically come down. Infiltration has become nearly impossible. The mainstream politicians and separatists like the Hurriyat stand exposed as entities who sustained the widespread resentment against India by indulging in massive corruption and mal-governance on the one hand and squarely putting the blame on Delhi's step-motherly treatment. NIA's action against many of them in terror-related cases further confirms their dubious loyalties in the popular perception. In Kashmir, a new political leadership with a nationalist outlook is emerging at the grassroots. Pakistan's desperate attempts to orchestrate terror attacks, civil unrest, and rally the diplomatic community against India on global platforms, have failed miserably. Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) has disappointed Pakistan and refused to bandwagon with it on several occasions. There are no buyers in the Western World for Pakistan's foul cries over the abrogation of Article 370. The United States and most European states convincingly approved India's Kashmir move as a dire necessity to prevent Jihadist terrorism from taking deeper roots in Kashmir on the pattern of Syria and Iraq. Except for the backing of Turkey and China, Pakistan stands isolated. Further, the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan have become fiercely vocal against Pakistan's demographic engineering and in its decision to declare the region as its sixth province, in an abject surrender to China's dictators. Local resistance against the forcible occupation of Gigit-Baltistan and flooding the area with Sunni extremists has not only intensified, but it has also become a subject-matter of serious discussion in the western capitals. In Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), similar fears have given rise to a strong resistance movement. On the issue of cross-border terrorism, Pakistan knows it well that post-2014, India's approach has changed. Now Delhi responds with surgical strikes and air raids, and one more Pulwama will most certainly be reciprocated with something way bigger than Balakot, which Pakistan cannot afford. Further, the post-370 Kashmir has also started seriously questioning China's illegal possession over Aksai Chin. Recent India-China stand-off and Pakistan's continuous ceasefire violations have cleared the vestiges of any doubts lasting about the China-Pak duo's collusion and expansionist threat in the near future. Internally, India’s Kashmir move has led to a massive embarrassment for Imran Khan's government and the Pak army. The Opposition has alleged Imran Khan's government of surrendering to India. Today, in the form of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Pak army and the 'selected' PM Imran Khan's government face a compelling popular protest movement. The situation has turned alarming for Pak army because, in addition to the mainstream political parties, it also includes ethical nationalist entities such as Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and Baluchistan National Party, hitherto seen as antithetical to the very idea of Pakistan. Further, PDM is demanding minimising the role of Pakistani army and intelligence agencies from the political and developmental matters, a direct challenge to the mighty army. Bajwa and Imran, both, are at the lowest ebb of their credibility. For decades, the Pakistan army used Kashmir to grab a disproportionate share in the national budget and cultivate hyper-nationalism and Islamism. Under the latter as a cover, GHQ Rawalpindi crushed all the religious, cultural, and linguistic minorities. The ghosts of those massacres in Baluchistan, Pashtun lands, and Sindh are returning to haunt Pakistan. It is a reminder for Pakistan that internal turmoil is rooted in its birth and the fundamental philosophy of its existence, and a redux of 1971, is possible. Nevertheless, Pakistan's generals refused to learn from the past and continue to publish substandard conspiracy theories blaming India for its internal problems. It appears as though Rawalpindi's is pushed back to the pavilion since the abrogation of Article 370, and Pakistan's grand new strategy is concocting lies of India aiding terrorism on Pakistani soil from Afghanistan. Some Pakistani generals blame India's intelligence brass for reversing the 'paradigm of terror' by inciting Pashtuns, Baluchis, and Sindhis. However, the fact is that the 'paradigm of terror' created by ISI masterminds has boomeranged and backfired, something which was bound to happen. Despite the turn of events, a frustrated Pakistan openly advocates the revival and strengthening of a terrorist base against India. By doing so, they stand exposed as sponsors of terror in the region. Why everyone missed the elephant in the room? Today, one feels astounded why even the astute strategic analysts could not foresee the aftershocks of abrogating Article 370 The answer lies in the fact that the overwhelming political posturing surrounding BJP's long-held objective of repealing Article 370 more or less precluded an objective and scholarly analysis of its long-term strategic implications in South Asia and beyond. India's intelligence czars, diplomats, and mighty bureaucrats of North Block saw it as a political prop, an unrealistic and unattainable dream, finding its best utility in garnering votes during elections. Such a notion was firmly entrenched in their minds when the last Vajpayee-led BJP government refrained from tampering with article 370. Among India's civil society, security experts, IR scholars, and public intellectuals making even a reference to abrogating Article 370 was shunned and led to condemnation and banishment as a right-wing fascist. For Pakistan, it came handy to believe that Indians would never think of this far-fetched dream given their three-decade-long vulnerabilities to the complex web of false and fictitious narratives projected by their deep-state and doing so quite successfully with the western capitals, activists, scribes, and scholars. As a result, serious scholarly analyses of scraping Article 370, more or less, remained a taboo in the academic and strategic world. At best, it remained a fanciful dream of Hindu-nationalist groups, and at worst a strategic blunder something which the majority of India's diplomats, spies, scribes scholars, and bureaucrats, trained in the socialist left-overs of cold-war era traditions, would abhor as totally uncharacteristic of India's idealistic approach in strategic affairs. Such a trend continues even after more than a year has passed since the abrogation of Article 370. In India's strategic and political community, one still comes across a tendency to condemn the move as an ill-thought action resulting from the lack of strategic vision, which will only add to India's security challenges. Maybe dubious loyalties, ulterior motives, vested political interests, individual biases, ideological barriers, and nonetheless inadequate analytical skills can provide a better explanation for this aversion to engaging in an objective analysis of the strategic implications of Delhi's Kashmir move and give the due credit to those who planned and implemented such a master strategic and diplomatic stroke. It can be stated with an absolute certainty that post-2014, New Delhi has changed, and the change is firm, decisive and irreversible. Nevertheless, the doctrinal shift in India’s strategic approach is still evolving in its myriad aspects hence; maybe it is too early to define its long-term strategic implications. However, it is certain that under no circumstances Pak establishment can indulge in Pulwama or Mumbai like adventures anymore. Whether one more Mumbai or Pulwama will cost Pakistan Baluchistan or not, is yet a matter of conjecture and grapewine in the intelligence world. Nevertheless, it is giving sleepless nights to Pakistani generals. To conclude, Pakistan’s Kashmir Project has lost its steam. In the global arena, it will not be long before General Bajwa's Pakistan is blacklisted. In the future, maybe the situation could turn worse, with Pakistan facing a threat from internal unrest and revolts. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer)

Pakistan's lost asymmetric war in Kashmir against Doval’s defensive offence

India is drawing its neighbours closer. After Dr Jaishankar's visit to West Asia & harsh vardhan shringla's visit to Nepal, India's N.S.A Ajit Doval has reached Sri Lanka.

Gravitas: India strengthens its strategic backyard

Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, arrived in Colombo on Friday for trilateral maritime dialogue among India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Sri Lanka will host the fourth national security advisor trilateral meeting on maritime security cooperation with India and Maldives on Friday and Saturday.

"NSA Ajit Doval arrived in Colombo for trilateral India-Sri Lanka-Maldives consultations on maritime and security cooperation. He was accorded a warm welcome by Army Commander Lt Gen @SilvaShavendra," the Indian Embassy in Colombo tweeted.

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NSA Ajit Doval arrived in Colombo for trilateral India-Sri Lanka-Maldives consultations on maritime and security cooperation. He was accorded a warm welcome by Army Commander Lt Gen <a href="https://twitter.com/SilvaShavendra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SilvaShavendra</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MEAIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/ckZOK5c0IF">pic.twitter.com/ckZOK5c0IF</a>
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiainSL/status/1332227816427929600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The meeting is to take place after six years - the last meeting was held in New Delhi in 2014.&nbsp;

This will be the first NSA level meeting on Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation. Besides Doval, Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Major General (Retd). Kamal Gunaratne and Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Didi will participate in the meeting.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the NSA-level trilateral meeting has served as an effective platform for cooperation among Indian Ocean countries. The mechanism is being revived after six years as earlier meetings were held in 2011 in the Maldives, in 2013 in Sri Lanka, and in 2014 in India.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-strengthens-its-strategic-backyard-345959">WATCH|</a>

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(With inputs from agencies)

Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, arrived in Colombo on Friday for trilateral maritime dialogue among India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Sri Lanka will host the fourth national security advisor trilateral meeting on maritime security cooperation with India and Maldives on Friday and Saturday.

Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, arrived in Colombo on Friday for trilateral maritime dialogue among India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Sri Lanka will host the fourth national security advisor trilateral meeting on maritime security cooperation with India and Maldives on Friday and Saturday. "NSA Ajit Doval arrived in Colombo for trilateral India-Sri Lanka-Maldives consultations on maritime and security cooperation. He was accorded a warm welcome by Army Commander Lt Gen @SilvaShavendra," the Indian Embassy in Colombo tweeted. NSA Ajit Doval arrived in Colombo for trilateral India-Sri Lanka-Maldives consultations on maritime and security cooperation. He was accorded a warm welcome by Army Commander Lt Gen @SilvaShavendra #lka @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/ckZOK5c0IF — India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) November 27, 2020 × The meeting is to take place after six years - the last meeting was held in New Delhi in 2014. This will be the first NSA level meeting on Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation. Besides Doval, Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Major General (Retd). Kamal Gunaratne and Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Didi will participate in the meeting. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the NSA-level trilateral meeting has served as an effective platform for cooperation among Indian Ocean countries. The mechanism is being revived after six years as earlier meetings were held in 2011 in the Maldives, in 2013 in Sri Lanka, and in 2014 in India. WATCH| × (With inputs from agencies)

NSA Ajit Doval arrives in Sri Lanka to attend trilateral maritime dialogue

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval took part in the dialogue along with Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Major Gen (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne and Maldivian Defence Minister Mariya Didi.

India, Lanka and Maldives agree to bolster maritime security cooperation

A trilateral meeting on maritime security cooperation between India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives began on Saturday, the Indian High Commission said.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was the chief guest at the event.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-concludes-zydus-biotech-park-visit-next-stop-bharat-biotech-facility-in-hyderabad-346030" hreflang="en">PM Modi concludes Zydus Biotech Park visit, next stop Bharat Biotech facility in Hyderabad</a>

India is represented by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who arrived here yesterday. While Maldives foreign minister Mariya Didi and Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Major General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne represented their countries during the talks.

"The tri-lateral meeting among India, Sri Lanka and Maldives on maritime and security cooperation gets underway. Minister @DCRGunawardena was the chief guest at the event," the high commission tweeted.

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The tri-lateral meeting among India, Sri Lanka and Maldives on maritime and security cooperation gets underway. Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/DCRGunawardena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DCRGunawardena</a> was the chief guest at the event. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MEAIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MFA_SriLanka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MFA_SriLanka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HCIMaldives?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HCIMaldives</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SLinIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SLinIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/fOXYGXNufC">pic.twitter.com/fOXYGXNufC</a>
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiainSL/status/1332546114759737344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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This will be the first NSA level meeting on Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation. Besides Doval, Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Major General (Retd).

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the NSA-level trilateral meeting has served as an effective platform for cooperation among Indian Ocean countries.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-assures-vietnam-of-help-in-modernising-its-armed-forces-346016" hreflang="en">India assures Vietnam of help in modernising its armed forces</a>

The mechanism is being revived after six years as earlier meetings were held in 2011 in the Maldives, in 2013 in Sri Lanka, and in 2014 in India.

A trilateral meeting on maritime security cooperation between India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives began on Saturday, the Indian High Commission said. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was the chief guest at the event.

A trilateral meeting on maritime security cooperation between India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives began on Saturday, the Indian High Commission said. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was the chief guest at the event. Also read| PM Modi concludes Zydus Biotech Park visit, next stop Bharat Biotech facility in Hyderabad India is represented by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who arrived here yesterday. While Maldives foreign minister Mariya Didi and Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Major General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne represented their countries during the talks. "The tri-lateral meeting among India, Sri Lanka and Maldives on maritime and security cooperation gets underway. Minister @DCRGunawardena was the chief guest at the event," the high commission tweeted. The tri-lateral meeting among India, Sri Lanka and Maldives on maritime and security cooperation gets underway. Minister @DCRGunawardena was the chief guest at the event. #lka @MEAIndia @MFA_SriLanka @HCIMaldives @SLinIndia pic.twitter.com/fOXYGXNufC — India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) November 28, 2020 × This will be the first NSA level meeting on Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation. Besides Doval, Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Major General (Retd). The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the NSA-level trilateral meeting has served as an effective platform for cooperation among Indian Ocean countries. Also read| India assures Vietnam of help in modernising its armed forces The mechanism is being revived after six years as earlier meetings were held in 2011 in the Maldives, in 2013 in Sri Lanka, and in 2014 in India.

India, Maldives, Sri Lanka trilateral meet on maritime security begins

The trilateral meet will see discussions on maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region and will be attended by NSA Ajit Doval.

India’s NSA Ajit Doval visits Sri Lanka for Trilateral Security Meet

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