NSA Doval backs people of Afghanistan, urges Taliban to eliminate terror sanctuaries

In a major statement, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval asserted on Wednesday that India will never abandon the people of Afghanistan and put on record New Delhi’s inclusive and generous support touching all sections of the strife-torn nation.

Speaking in Moscow at the fifth regional dialogue on Afghanistan, NSA Doval pointed out that India has so far delivered 40,000 MT of wheat, 60 tons of medicines, 500,000 Covid vaccines, winter clothing and 28 tons of disaster relief.

India’s technical team which has been positioned in the Indian embassy in Kabul is overseeing New Delhi’s humanitarian assistance programme. Standing tall in solidarity with the  Afghan people, India has granted fresh scholarships to 2260 Afghan students including 300 Afghan girls during the past two years.

In an obvious message to the Taliban, Doval stressed in a veiled reference to Pakistan that “no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism and radicalisation”.

He also pointed out that the natural resources of Afghanistan should be utilised first for the welfare of the people of Afghanistan. The remark assumes importance as China has already shown considerable interest in tapping Afghanistan’s natural resources.

Besides, the Chinese have stated their intent to extend the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. Starting at Gwadar, the CPEC passes through Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK)  before terminating at Kashgar in the Xinjiang region.

NSA Doval spotlighted that terrorism has become a major threat in the region. Dealing with Daesh and terror outfits like LeT and JeM  requires intensified intelligence and security cooperation between respective States and its agencies.

India reaffirmed the importance of UNSCR 2593 (2021) that calls for terror outfits including those designated by UNSCR 1267 to be denied sanctuary in the region. Both the LeT and JeM have Pakistani roots.

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