Drug threat, terrorism and trade: NSA deputy chief highlights India’s support for Afghanistan at Bishkek meeting

Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri on Friday emphasized that India has legitimate security interests in Afghanistan and is committed to establishing peace and stability through its policies.

“India has always firmly supported Afghanistan’s policy of peace, security and stability. As a neighboring country, India has legitimate economic and security interests in Afghanistan. Its ties with the Afghan people go back centuries and are historic and civilized. “Misri said.

India also said its top priority is to provide humanitarian assistance and combat terrorism and drug trafficking in conflict-affected areas.

“On the issue of terrorism, our collective approach is set out in UN Security Council Resolution 2593. Afghan territory should not be used to harbor, train, plan or finance acts of terrorism; specifically, terrorism prohibited by the UN Security Council elements, including members of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed,” he added.

Misri further added that India also supports the formation of a truly inclusive and representative government and upholds the rights of women, children and minorities.

Notably, India is involved in 500 projects in Afghanistan, spread across 34 provinces of Afghanistan, in key areas such as power, water supply, road connectivity, healthcare, education, agriculture and capacity building.

Regarding India’s efforts in Afghanistan, Misri emphasized that India has so far invested more than US$3 billion in the welfare of the Afghan people.

So far, India has provided nearly 50,000 tons of wheat, 250 tons of medical supplies and 28 tons of earthquake relief supplies. In view of the urgent appeal of the United Nations. India has also supplied 40,000 liters of malathion,” Misri added during the conversation.

Regarding India’s trade partnership with Afghanistan, Misri said that tariff concessions under SAFTA continue to be provided to Afghan traders and a “humanitarian air corridor” between Delhi and Kabul has been established.

This was the speech delivered at the sixth Security Council Secretary/National Security Adviser Regional Dialogue on Afghanistan in Bishkek on Friday.

The dialogue was attended by Secretaries/NSS of Iran, India, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, Turkmenistan and Pakistan.