Pakistan has declined India’s request to join the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue. The dialogue has the participation of National Security Chiefs from seven countries.
India hosted the dialogue in which Russia and Iran representatives also took part. But, following Pak’s refusal to attend the event, China did not turn up.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval chaired the Security Dialogue. Security chiefs of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan took part in the summit on Wednesday. It was first such meeting held by India post-Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.
The Troika Plus
Pakistan has announced to host a similar meeting of the special representatives from US, China and Russia on Thursday.
US State Department’s Special Representative and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Afghanistan, Thomas West, will participate in Pak meeting. Russia’s Special Afghanistan Envoy Zamir Kabulov will also participate in it. China’s Special Envoy for Afghan Affairs Yue Xiaoyong will participate in the ‘Troika Plus’ meeting. It will be chaired by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and its National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf.
Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi, informed in a tweet, “A senior delegation led by FM Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi will travel to Pakistan on Nov 10.
Delegation will discuss enhancing ties, economy, transit, refugees & expanding facilities for movement of people, & will include Ministers & working groups from Finance & Trade Ministries.”
“Today a senior delegation of IEA will reach Islamabad & meet with Pakistani officials as well as participants of Troika Plus meeting. After Kabul, Moscow Format and other meetings, follow up discussions will be held about political, humanitarian and economic issues,” he said in another tweet.
Moscow was the host for previous Troika Plus meeting. In this meeting, Russia had invited India.
The meeting’s focus is on tackling terrorism and drug trafficking. And also to reiterate support for a peaceful and inclusive Afghanistan.