Page 14 - The Indian EYE 111921

Op-ED NOVEMBER 19, 2021 | The Indian Eye 14

did india achieve anything with

afghanistan meet?

Views and opinions from the top commentators in Indian media

he Third Regional Security Di-
alogue on Afghanistan hosted
Tby India yesterday was a bold
attempt on New Delhi’s part to bring
regional countries on the same page.
The conference saw participation of
all five central Asian republics, Iran
and Russia. The Delhi Declaration
strongly objected to the use of Af-
ghan soil for planning, financing and
carrying out terrorist activities. It
also called for collective cooperation
against the menace of radicalization,
extremism, separatism and drug traf-
ficking in the region. In other words,
the conference was meant to find
ways for the participating countries
to coordinate and counter terrorist
threats from Taliban’s Afghanistan.
True, Pakistan and China did
not attend the New Delhi confer-
ence. But this was along expected
lines. If anything, their non-partici-
pation was yet another proof that the
China-Pakistan axis will continue to NSA Ajit Doval (center) with National Security Advisers/Secretaries of Security Councils of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan,
undermine Indian interests. Besides, Turkmenistan, uzbekistan pose for a group photo during The Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan, in New Delhi on Wednesday (ANI)
China and Pakistan’s perception of
the security threat from Taliban’s Af- age anymore. It has even stopped tak- lamabad is blocking Indian efforts resents India’s growing proximity to
ghanistan is very different from that ing refugees, which could have been to send aid to Afghanistan over land. the US. But Moscow still extends
of India’s or Iran’s. While Beijing one way of retaining some clout in Yet, without any new measures to ac- courtesies to New Delhi as India
and Islamabad are betting on Taliban Kabul, and on the international stage. tually put pressure on the Taliban and buys more arms from Russia than
leadership to stabilize their borders What is noteworthy is that eight Pakistan to change their ways, the any other country. To retain its po-
with Afghanistan, they may have lit- countries in the region, including joint statement issued in New Delhi sition as India’s biggest supplier of
tle concern about Taliban’s lack of in- two heavyweights, Russia and Iran, sounds more like wishful thinking weapons to India, Moscow advo-
clusivity or their exporting terror to will be at the table. Most of them than a plan of action. In fact, Rus- cates peace between India and Chi-
other countries. also attended a foreign ministers’ sia, Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkmeni- na – Russia’s anti-US ally. Moscow
-- Editorial, The Times of India meeting on Afghanistan in Pakistan, stan are all openly engaging with the frequently exhorts New Delhi not to
and another in Iran, to neither of Taliban on trade, transit and security. get misled by Washington and mend
thE GrOunD rEality which India was invited. Their at- While India’s primary security con- its fences with Beijing. Moscow is
tendance shows that even if Delhi’s cern in Afghanistan is that country’s conscious of India’s belief that only
haping the agenda in Afghani- role in Afghanistan is limited, each use by Pakistan-sponsored terrorist Russia can shield it from China if the
stan demands presence on the
sground, or at least leverage of these countries takes its bilateral groups, all the other nations repre- need arises. It exploits the Modi gov-
sented in New Delhi have a different
relationship with India seriously, and
ernment’s insecurity to sell more and
with some, if not all, actors in that that includes Russia. worry: the Islamic State group, which more weapons to India.
country. India could boast of this be-
fore the Taliban takeover on August -- Editorial, The Indian Express is also the Taliban’s enemy. Other con- The real purpose of Patrushev’s
15. Had Delhi been able to host this thE PakiStan iSSuE tradictions are also hobbling India’s visit is not to clear a path for India
credibility and robbing it of goodwill. in Afghanistan – it is to push the sale
gathering of regional powers, big and -- Editorial, The Telegraph of Russia’s brand-new S-500 missile
small, even as late as last year, when or India and Pakistan to seek
its massive development assistance two distinct paths forward for thE ruSSian anGlE defense system, which can intercept
intercontinental ballistic missiles and
to Afghanistan gave it a game on the fAfghanistan is not surprising. hypersonic missiles.
ground and friends in the erstwhile But is India’s approach proving effec- he acceptance of Doval’s invita- -- SNM Abdi, The Quint
political establishment and civil soci- tive? The eight national security advi- tion by Russian Security Coun-
ety there, it would have helped draw sors who met in New Delhi stressed Tcil Secretary Nikolai Patrushev,
attention to the security concerns on the evils of cross-border terrorism, who is the right-hand man of Presi- Every week, we look at what the top
over the situation as it was develop- the need for the Taliban to work to- dent Vladimir Putin, is being touted commentators in the Indian media are
ing then, even if it could not have wards an inclusive government, and as a big diplomatic victory for India. talking about and bring to you a slice
changed the direction in which it was the importance of delivering aid to Russia hardly needs India as of their opinions and comments
going. India does not have this lever- Afghanistan in a timely manner. Is- an ally in Afghanistan. Moreover, it

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