On 10th & 11th November, 2021, India hosted the third ‘Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan’. The meeting was held at the level of National Security Advisors (NSAs) and was chaired by India’s NSA.
The event was attended by the NSAs of 7 countries including Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Pakistan and China too were invited to participate in the consultation but both stayed away.
During the dialogue, the countries adopted the Delhi Declaration.
Key Highlights of the Declaration
It underlined the need for forming an open and truly inclusive government in Afghanistan that represents the will and representation of all sections of Afghanistan.
It emphasised respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs.
It stressed that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist acts.
It expressed concern over the deteriorating socio-economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and underlined the need to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
It called for a collective cooperation against the menace of radicalization, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking in the region.
It reiterated that the fundamental rights of women, children and minority communities must not be violated.
It recalled the relevant UN Resolutions on Afghanistan, and noted that the United Nations’ (UN) continued presence in the country must be preserved.
