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In an indication of India’s elevated engagement with the continued Intra-Afghan Dialogue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a meeting with Chairman of Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) Abdullah Abdullah, who’s right here on a 5-day go to. During the talks, Mr. Abdullah briefed the Prime Minister on the deliberations in Doha between the Afghan authorities and civil society representatives with Taliban representatives.
Comment | Another Afghan peace push and a job for India
“Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment towards sustainable peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and welcomed efforts towards a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Afghanistan,” stated a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Mr. Abdullah, who met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval over dinner on Wednesday, will meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday, it stated.
Addressing diplomats and students at an tackle organised by the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence and Strategic Analysis (MPIDSA), Mr. Abdullah stated he had been “energised and re-energised” by India’s assist to the folks of Afghanistan “achieving a dignified durable and sustainable peace”. He expressed gratitude for the $3billion assist India has disbursed for initiatives throughout Afghanistan since 2001.
Also learn | India’s presence at talks with Taliban an vital step, says Zalmay Khalilzad
Islamabad go to
When requested about his go to to Islamabad final week and whether or not India-Pakistan tensions would have an effect on his mission for “regional consensus” for the IAN (Intra Afghan Negotiations), he stated that Afghans would pursue their very own “national interest”.
“We need better relations with all countries. It is not our policy to decide the policies that other countries pursue towards each other, but we believe that peace in Afghanistan is in everyone’s interest,” he stated, including that Mr. Modi had assured him that India would assist any peace settlement that was agreeable to the folks of Afghanistan.
The MEA additionally stated that Mr. Doval mentioned “increased levels of violence across Afghanistan” and peace and safety in the area when he referred to as on Mr. Abdullah.
Comment | The sum and substance of the Afghan deal
While the delegation from Kabul has been hopeful of a declaration of a everlasting ceasefire with the start of talks final month, the Taliban has refused to agree to 1 up to now. According to US company SIGAR (Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction), civilian casualties in Afghanistan had elevated almost 60% between April-June 2020 over the earlier quarter, regardless of the U.S.-Taliban accord being signed in February.
More engagement with Kabul
With two new officers, together with Joint Secretary (Pakistan-Afghanistan-India) J.P. Singh and new Ambassador in Kabul Rudrendra Tandon being appointed inside the MEA, New Delhi is signalling an uptick in its engagement with Afghanistan. Last month, Mr. Jaishankar addressed the inauguration of the Intra-Afghan talks, and despatched a workforce to Doha, the primary time an Indian official has addressed a gathering that features the Taliban. Mr. Jaishankar additionally met with former Afghanistan Vice-President Rashid Dostum in September, in an indication that the federal government is reaching out to different elements of the Afghan management.
Editorial | The price of peace: on intra-Afghan talks
“India has significant role to play in advising and counselling unity and creating a common platform that represents the aspirations of new Afghanistan. Preserving unity is key to any negotiation and likely outcomes,” former Ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha advised The Hindu.
Mr. Abdullah, who was previously the CEO of Afghanistan, is visiting Delhi a number of months after his final go to, when he contested the end result of presidential elections, which President Ashraf Ghani gained. After months of authorized wrangling, the 2 leaders agreed to a compromise, the place Mr. Abdullah accepted the position as chief of the HCNR.
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