India to participate in sixth Moscow Format Talks on Afghanistan amid West Asia tensions

New Delhi, Oct 04: India will participate in the Sixth Moscow Format consultative meeting on Afghanistan on Friday, October 4, in Moscow.

This comes at a time when tensions in West Asia have reached a critical peak. Iran, a key player in the Moscow Format, is also deeply involved in the ongoing conflict. Given Iran's dual role in both arenas, observers speculate that discussions on West Asia may also surface during the forum.

The Moscow Format, established in December 2016, serves as a platform for regional powers to exchange views and collaborate on issues concerning Afghanistan. The format includes Russia, Afghanistan, India, China, Pakistan, and Iran, with last year's summit expanding to include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. In the fifth meeting, held in Kazan, Russia, representatives from Qatar, the UAE, and Turkey participated as guest attendees.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to have a one-on-one conversation with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, on the sidelines of the summit.

India will be represented by Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Ambassador JP Singh, India's point person for Afghanistan who is expected to engage in bilateral talks with Muttaqi and other Taliban officials during the event. IN March 2024,  Amb J P Singh met some of the Afghanistan ruling party functionaries.

India’s participation comes amid its cautious engagement with the Taliban regime. Although India has not officially recognised the Taliban government, it has maintained a working relationship with Kabul, primarily driven by humanitarian support for the Afghan people. An Indian "technical team" has been stationed at its embassy in Kabul, managing aid distribution, despite initial hesitations following the Taliban’s takeover.

The Moscow Format talks will be held behind closed doors, with key discussions cantered around advancing Afghanistan’s national reconciliation process, improving regional collaboration with the interim government, and addressing terrorism and drug trafficking. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stressed that political, economic, and counterterrorism cooperation will remain top priorities during the discussions.

Iran’s prominent role in the West Asia conflict adds an additional layer of complexity to this year’s Moscow Format talks. The escalating situation in West Asia, where Iran is a central figure, may influence discussions on broader regional stability, especially given Iran's dual engagement in both Afghanistan and West Asia.

India’s involvement in the Moscow Format highlights its regional security priorities, including ensuring that Afghanistan does not become a breeding ground for terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

India’s position remains focused on advocating for an inclusive government in Kabul and addressing the severe humanitarian challenges facing the Afghan population.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in a recent statement to the Lok Sabha, reiterated India’s long-standing historical ties with Afghanistan and its support for relevant UN resolutions, including UNSC Resolution 2593. This resolution calls for the protection of human rights, the prevention of terrorism, and the establishment of a political solution to the crisis in Afghanistan.

India has continued to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, delivering 50,000 metric tons of wheat, 250 tons of medical aid, and 28 tons of earthquake relief supplies. Despite not recognizing the Taliban regime, India’s engagement with Afghanistan remains consistent with the international community's approach, balancing humanitarian support with regional security considerations.