NSA-level meet on Afghanistan: Terrorism, growing radicalisation, drug trafficking on the agenda.

 New Delhi:

 The NSA-level Regional Security Dialogue beginning day after tomorrow in the Capital is a message to the Taliban: the Central Asian republics, India, Russia and Iran, none of whom have recognised the new government in Kabul, have shared concerns about terrorism both within Afghanistan and the possibility of “export” to neighbours, drug trafficking and the growing possibility of civil war. 

There is also a growing awareness of the links between the IS-K and Pakistan, especially the ISI, its powerful military intelligence agency. Pakistan was invited for the meeting and probably realising it would be cornered for being the reason for the Afghanistan problem as opposed to being part of the solution, has publicly refused to attend. China, sources said, claimed it had scheduling problems and isn’t coming either, though it has promised to remain in touch. India had hoped the Chinese would attend and also hope that they will in the future.

The meeting of the national security advisor or equivalents of the five central Asian republics, Russia, Iran and India will be chaired by Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor. 

“There is consensus that Pakistan is the problem. There is full awareness that Pakistan has provided terrorists their bases, “ sources said. “There is a credibility gap. We know what Pakistan says and what Pakistan does.”

India does not recognise the Taliban and has not invited it. Some of the countries called have said they aren’t even thinking about the Taliban’s absence. Nor have members of the earlier Afghanistan state, like former President Hamid Karzai and CEO, Dr Abdullah Abdullah been called this time.