NSA Ajit Doval holds talks with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan counterparts

New Delhi: Ahead of the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue, India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held bilateral talks with his counterparts from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan yesterday. Sources said that during the meeting with Tajik counterpart, detailed exchange of views on Afghanistan, with significant convergence of assessments took place between the two sides.

Both sides expressed concerns on the sharp increase in terrorist threats from Afghanistan in recent past and Tajik side highlighted gravity of situation in Afghanistan. Besides, discussions on looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan also took palce.

On bilateral side, discussions took place on deepening cooperation in areas like defence, border management and border



infrastructure development. Sources also added that during the meeting with Uzbekistan, Afghanistan was the major focus of discussions and both sides agreed that the future of Afghanistan must be decided by the people of Afghanistan themselves. They felt that the legitimacy of any Afghan Government within Afghanistan was important before the issue of its international recognition.

India and Uzbekistan also emphasized the need for Afghanistan’s neighbours to ensure unhindered access of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

They also agreed that neighbouring states must play a constructive role in Afghanistan and highlighted need for long term economic development of Afghanistan.