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NSAs meet in Delhi for talks on Afghanistan crisis
India’s NSA Ajit Doval chaired the eight-nation dialogue on the Afghanistan crisis in Delhi on Wednesday and said the recent developments in the country hold important implications for neighboring and regional countries.
In his address to his regional counterparts, Doval said: “It is a privilege for India to host this dialogue today. We have been keenly watching the developments in Afghanistan. These have important implications not only for the people of Afghanistan but also for its neighbors and the region.”
Doval also said that this is the time for close consultations amongst the participating nations and that greater cooperation and interaction is needed.
“I'm confident that our deliberations will be productive, useful, and will contribute to helping people of Afghanistan and enhance our collective security,” he said.
NSAs of Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are attending the high-level meeting but China and Pakistan both excused themselves.
Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran in turn called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to establish an inclusive government, represented by all ethnic groups.
Turkmenistan's Charymyrat Kakalyyevvich Amavov said that this meeting will provide the opportunity for cooperation in the region, while Uzbekistan's Victor Makhmudov acknowledged Afghanistan is facing a crisis.
Tajikistan's Nasrullo Rahmatjon Mahmudzoda pointed to his country’s "long border with Afghanistan" and raised concerns about cross-border drug trafficking and the humanitarian crisis.
Russia's Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation called for "restoration of long-lasting peace".
Kyrgyzstan's Marat Mukanovich Imankulov, raised the issue of the threat of terrorism and said help needs to be extended to Afghanistan.
Kazakhstan's Karim Massimov, Chairman of the Kazak National Security Committee raised the issue of the fast deteriorating socio-economic situation in the country.
As host, India chose not to invite the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), since none of the participating countries have so far officially recognized Afghanistan’s new government, although some countries, including Russia and Iran, still have an active embassy presence in the country, Indian media reports stated.
Absence of Pakistan, China
Having skipped both previous meetings because of India’s presence, Pakistan was unlikely to have attended this one, especially in light of the current state of bilateral relations, Indian media reported.
Although China had attended both previous meetings due to its own security concerns originating from Afghanistan, its absence now sends out a signal that it doesn’t want to associate with any process led by India, the Indian Express reported.
According to the report Beijing has engaged with the IEA leadership, before and after the fall of Kabul, something New Delhi has watched closely, given China’s proximity to Pakistan and potential to emerge as the IEA’s new financiers.
China’s leverage at the UN Security Council is something that the IEA will be banking on, Indian media reports stated.
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Ten people killed in Baghlan attack
Ten people were killed by unknown individuals in Afghanistan’s northern Baghlan province on Thursday night, police said on Friday.
The incident happened as the victims were doing Zikr at a mosque in Shahr-e-Kuhna of Nahrin district, police said in a statement.
The statement said that they used to regularly go to mosques and monasteries at night after returning from work.
Abdul Ghayoor Khadim, a provincial police official, said that several people were arrested in connection with the incident, adding that an investigation was launched.
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Chinese, Turkmen officials meet to discuss Afghanistan
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Serdar Muhammetdurdiyev on Thursday met with Chinese special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan announced.
During the meeting, the sides discussed priority vectors of strategic interstate cooperation built on a long-term, mutually beneficial basis, as well as exchanged views on the implementation of previously reached agreements.
It was noted that personal contacts between the leaders of the two countries play a key role in intensifying the interstate dialogue, which give a strong impulse to further development and expansion of Turkmen-Chinese ties.
It was emphasized that Turkmenistan considers multilateral international platforms for maintaining stability in Afghanistan as an important factor in promoting sustainable improvement of socio-economic state of the neighboring country. The sides exchanged views on the preparations to the 5th meeting of Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan's Neighboring States to be held in Turkmenistan.
The interlocutors reaffirmed that Turkmenistan and China will continue to provide all-round support for the economic restoration of Afghanistan.
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U.S. House approves bill on evacuation of Afghan allies
The U.S. House Of Representatives has passed a legislation on evacuation of Afghans who assisted Americans during the 20-year war in Afghanistan.
“The passage of the CARE Authorization Act of 2024 further underscores the commitment made by the U.S. government to safeguard those who served shoulder-to-shoulder with our personnel during the twenty-year mission in Afghanistan,” Congresswoman Dina Titus said in a statement.
“The State Department has made it clear: There is no deadline for the crucial job of protecting Afghan allies. By authorizing the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts at the State Department, we can more effectively relocate and resettle those who have qualified to immigrate to the U.S. as a result of their service to this country.”
In 2022 the State Department established a specialized office called the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) to streamline and coordinate the ongoing relocation and resettlement process for eligible Afghans from Afghanistan and Pakistan to the United States.
The CARE Authorization Act of 2024 will formally authorize the CARE office at the State Department for three years and grant important authorities to advance its mission. These include an extension of authorities to enter into personal services contracts as well as measures to streamline the transfer of funds to and from other agencies involved in the Afghan relocation mission.
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