The Taliban’s control of Afghanistan has generated fears of a rise in radicalism and terrorism in the region

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday held talks with his counterparts from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in New Delhi ahead of Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan on Wednesday.

According to the people familiar with the development, NSA Doval held back to back bilateral meetings, first, with Secretary of Tajikistan’s Security Council Nasrullo Rahmatjon Mahmudzoda and second, with Secretary of Uzbekistan’s Security Council Victor Makhmudov in India’s national capital.

During their meeting, both NSA Doval and Secretary of Tajikistan’s Security Council Nasrullo Rahmatjon Mahmudzoda had a detailed exchange of views on Afghanistan.

Both sides expressed their concerns on the sharp increase in terrorist threats from Afghanistan in recent past. Tajik side highlighted gravity of situation in Afghanistan, sources said.

They also discussed looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. On bilateral side, discussions took place on deepening cooperation in areas like defence, border management and border infrastructure development.

With Secretary of Uzbekistan’s Security Council Victor Makhmudov, NSA Doval had detailed discussion on Afghanistan. Both sides agreed that the future of Afghanistan must be decided by the people of Afghanistan themselves, sources said.

As per sources, both NSA Doval and his Uzbek counterpart felt that the legitimacy of any Afghan government within Afghanistan was important before the issue of its international recognition.

Both sides emphasized the need for Afghanistan’s neighbours to ensure unhindered access of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. They also agreed that neighbouring states must play a constructive role in Afghanistan.

They also highlighted need for long term economic development of Afghanistan.

India will host the ‘Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan’ on November 10 to review the security situation in the region arising from recent developments in Afghanistan.

The Dialogue will be held at the level of National Security Advisers or Secretaries of Security Councils and will be chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

The first two editions of the Dialogue were hosted by the Islamic Republic of Iran in 2018 and 2019.

The Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan will witness an expanded participation of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, who will all be represented by their respective National Security Advisers or Secretaries of the Security Councils.

At the Dialogue, the security situation in the region arising from recent developments in Afghanistan will be reviewed. The participants will deliberate upon measures to address the relevant security challenges and support the people of Afghanistan in promoting peace, security and stability.

India has traditionally enjoyed close and friendly ties with the people of Afghanistan and has called for a unified international response to address the security and humanitarian challenges facing Afghanistan.