Moscow, Oct 7: India has reiterated that a secure, peaceful, and stable Afghanistan is vital not only for its own people but also for regional stability and global security. The message was conveyed at the 7th meeting of the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, held in Moscow on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by special representatives and senior officials from Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with Belarus participating as a guest.
India’s delegation, led by Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar, expressed New Delhi’s consistent support for an independent and prosperous Afghanistan. “As a civilisational and contiguous neighbour, India supports an independent, peaceful and stable Afghanistan and the socioeconomic development of its people,” the Indian Embassy in Russia stated on X.
For the first time, an Afghan delegation led by Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mottaqi participated in the consultations as a member. The joint statement released after the meeting reaffirmed support for Afghanistan as an “independent, united and peaceful state.”
The participants opposed the deployment of foreign military infrastructure in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries, stressing that such actions undermine regional peace and stability. They urged nations “mainly responsible for Afghanistan’s current predicament” to fulfil their commitments toward the country’s economic recovery and development.
The meeting also emphasised strengthening regional economic cooperation, trade, and investment projects involving Afghanistan, alongside progress in healthcare, agriculture, and poverty alleviation. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to providing humanitarian aid and supporting Afghanistan’s integration into regional connectivity frameworks.
Reiterating the importance of counter-terrorism efforts, the statement called for comprehensive measures to prevent Afghan soil from being used to threaten neighbouring nations. The parties agreed that terrorism remains a serious challenge to Afghanistan, the region, and global peace.
