Meet on Afghanistan: Doval calls for greater cooperation to enhance collective security

“We are meeting today to discuss matters related to Afghanistan. We all have been keenly watching the developments in that country. These have important implications not only for the people of Afghanistan, but also for its neighbours and the region. This is the time for close consultation amongst us, greater cooperation and interaction and coordination among the regional countries.”

“I’m confident that our deliberations will be productive, useful and will contribute to help the people of Afghanistan and enhance our collective security,” he said.

Representatives from seven nations on Wednesday will discuss the unfolding situation in Afghanistan and the main challenges it faces following the Taliban’s ascent to power. The participants are Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani (Iran), Nikolai P Patrushev (Russia), Karim Massimov (Kazakhstan), Marat Mukanovich Imankulov (Kyrgyzstan), Nasrullo Rahmatjon Mahmudzoda (Tajikistan), Charymyrat Kakalyyevvich Amavov (Turkmenistan) and Victor Makhmudov (Uzbekistan). 

Sources said the meeting will look at evolving a “regional security architecture” to deal with the challenges arising out of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, mainly terrorism within and across its border, radicalisation and extremism, cross-border movement, drug production and trafficking, and potential use of weapons and equipment left behind by the US and its allies.

According to sources, the country’s top security establishment, the National Security Council Secretariat, is taking the lead in organising the conference. The meeting is a “security track”, which is different from the “diplomatic track”, and the “czars of the security establishments” in these countries will discuss “practical cooperation”, they said.

‘Social and economic situation is deteriorating,’ says Chairman of Kazakhstan National Security Committee 

Karim Massimov, the chairman of Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee flagged the looming economic and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

 “We’re concerned about prevailing situation in Afghanistan,” he said, according to ANI. “The social end economic situation of Afghans is deteriorating  and the country is facing humanitarian crisis; necessary to increase humanitarian assistance.” 

‘Inclusive government can solve migration crisis,’ says Iran National Security Council Secretary  

Highlighting the migration crisis Afghanistan is facing today, Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, said that a solution can only come with the formation of an “inclusive government”, and participation of all ethnic groups. 

‘As neighbour, we are ready to help Afghan people,’ says Tajikistan NSA 

Since Tajikistan shares a border with Afghanistan, the country is willing to help the affected Afghan people in any way that they can, Tajikistan’s Security Council’s Secretary, Nasrullo Rahmatjon Mahmudzoda, said. 

However, the country’s proximity to Afghanistan also increases the risk of terrorism and drug trafficking, he added. “The situation on Tajik-Afghan borders remains complicated,” he said, according to ANI. 

‘Very difficult situation in our region due to Afghan terrorist organisations,’ says Kyrgyzstan NSA 

“It’s a very difficult situation in our region and all over the world; this is regarding terrorist organisations in Afghanistan,” said Marat M Imankulov, Secretary of Security Council of Kyrgyzstan. 

Pakistan and China had opted out of the talks.