Indian Minister Stresses Continued Support for Afghan Peace, Stability

Kabul: At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s defense ministers’ meeting in China, India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated his country’s commitment to supporting peace, security, and stability in Afghanistan.

Singh added that India, as Afghanistan’s largest regional development partner, continues to implement empowerment initiatives for the Afghan people.

He stated: “India has been consistent and steadfast in its policy in support of peace, security and stability in Afghanistan. Our immediate priorities in Afghanistan include providing humanitarian assistance to Afghan people and contributing to Afghanistan’s overall developmental needs, and Afghanistan’s largest regional development partner, India continues to implement capacity building initiatives for the Afghan people.”

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov also said at the meeting that the transfer of militants from the Middle East to Afghanistan continues.

He urged member states of the organization to intensify collective efforts to combat terrorism originating from Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine.

He said: “The spread of extremist ideologies from the Middle East and the transfer of militants to Afghanistan are still ongoing. Joint efforts must be increased to counter terrorism and extremism, including threats emerging from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.”

Military analyst Sayed Moqaddam Amin noted: “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a major regional body. The meeting in China showed a very positive perspective on Afghanistan, although no decision was made regarding the recognition of the Islamic Emirate. However, their positive outlook could be beneficial for stability in Afghanistan.”

The Islamic Emirate also described the Indian Defense Minister’s remarks as realistic and stated that stability in Afghanistan is in the interest of the region and the world.

Deputy spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, Hamdullah Fitrat, said: “This is a realistic stance, and we welcome it. Lasting stability in Afghanistan benefits the entire region. Our expectation is that all countries recognize the current realities in Afghanistan and draw a spirit of cooperation from ongoing progress.”

Although Russia maintains good political and economic relations with the interim Afghan government, some senior Russian officials occasionally express concerns about the security situation in Afghanistan.