- Regional Meeting Addresses Afghan Terrorism
- Calls for Inclusive Afghan Government
- Emphasis on Anti-Terror Measures
A regional security meeting on Afghanistan, hosted by Russia with participation from other regional countries, including China and India, has urged the interim Afghan government to “dismantle” all terrorist groups based in the country and ensure that its territory no longer serves as a “terrorism hotspot.”
During the fifth Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, which brought together high-ranking officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the need for enhanced security measures was raised. The audience also included representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.
The meeting was held in the Russian city of Kazan on Friday.
Islamabad has repeatedly voiced concern over militants’ use of Afghan territory for transnational terrorism. In a recent statement, the Pakistan Army blamed Kabul for the increase in militancy, claiming that “safe havens and freedom of action,” along with the latest weapons made accessible to Afghan militants, enabled them to conduct attacks inside Pakistan.
The military stated that it expected the Afghan government to act against militants and adhere to the Doha agreement.
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In a statement, the ISPR had noted that the terrorists of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and other groups of the same ilk had access to safe havens, freedom of action, and the latest weapons in a neighboring country, all of which posed a significant threat to the security of Pakistan.
In a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry following the conclusion of the meeting, the participants expressed grave concern over the precarious security situation in Afghanistan, which they attributed “primarily to the intensified activities of terrorist groups, particularly ISIS.”
The countries urged the Afghan government to take effective measures to “dismantle, eliminate, and prevent the placement of all types of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, and to prevent the country from becoming a terrorism and instability hotspot that spreads to neighboring states.”
They also emphasized the significance of continuing “real and effective anti-drug policy, including against industrial drug production,” which indicated a grave and dangerous increase.
The participants exhorted the current Afghan government to increase its cooperation with regional nations to combat the threats posed by terrorism and drug trafficking emanating from Afghan soil.
“The majority of participants emphasized their opposition to the support of terrorism in Afghanistan by external forces,” according to the statement.
The meeting noted that there had been “no progress in forming a truly inclusive government in Afghanistan, reflecting the interests of all ethno-political groups of the country.”
Although individuals from diverse Afghan ethnic backgrounds were appointed to positions within the Kabul administration, parties noted a lack of political pluralism within it.
The meeting urged Afghan authorities to establish “a practical, result-oriented dialogue with the representatives of alternative ethno-political groups to complete the process of peaceful settlement and forge a balanced, more broad-based, inclusive, accountable, and responsible government in Afghanistan.”
The participants also urged the current Afghan government to provide the essential conditions for enhancing the welfare of the Afghan people, preventing further migration, and facilitating the return of refugees.
They advocated for the advancement of fundamental rights and liberties in the country, emphasizing the significance of equal access to employment, education, and justice for all individuals, regardless of gender, race, or religion.
The meeting emphasized their concern regarding restrictions placed on women’s employment and girls’ education and urged the current Afghan authorities to promote modern education in institutions that adhere to international standards.
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The parties present at the meeting advocated for Afghanistan to be an independent, united, and tranquil state. They emphasized the inadmissibility of the deployment of third-party military infrastructure facilities in Afghanistan and its surrounding states under any pretext.
The countries emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral and multilateral economic ties while appreciating the prospects for the development of regional economic initiatives involving Afghanistan.
The meeting reaffirmed opposition to attempts to politicize humanitarian assistance and highlighted the significance of continuing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
It also acknowledged Iran’s proposal to enhance regional cooperation on Afghanistan through the formation of a regional contact group dedicated to debating areas of shared interest.
