Indian NSA meets Russian counterpart over Afghanistan

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Russian counterpart General Nikolay Patrushev on Wednesday held a  high level consultations on Afghanistan in New Delhi.  Later, the visiting Russian NSA  also called on External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. In a tweet, Dr Jaishankar said, very useful discussions were held on Afghanistan. 

It is said that the two countries reviewed  the political, security and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, activities of terrorist groups including Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba, threats from drugs and the  role of regional countries. The two sides also deliberated on  details of Indo-Russia cooperation to meet current and future threats and measures to assist the crisis hit country.  The consultations reflect the entirely new situation in Afghanistan created by the withdrawal of US forces and take-over by the Taliban.  They also reflect the desire, importance and potential for significant increase in political and security cooperation between India and Russia in Afghanistan. Both countries share similar concerns on terrorism, especially to ensure that the Taliban adhere to their promises and assurances.Sources said that the Consultations were a follow-up to the telephone conversation between Prime Minister Modi and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on 24th of last month. The two leaders had expressed the view that it was  important for the two strategic partners to work together and instructed their senior officials to remain in touch on Afghanistan. The  Russian NSA  also meet  Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They discussed important regional developments.

Was happy to meet Mr. Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of Russia. His visit allowed useful discussions between both sides on important regional developments. pic.twitter.com/v0cwJH1yAF

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2021

According to media report,  Ajit Doval met with William Burns, the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), in New Delhi on Tuesday. The details of the meet have not been officially disclosed.  It is believed both have focused on security concerns in the wake of the Taliban government's creation in Afghanistan.