New Delhi: All eyes are now on the August 11 meeting in Doha. In the run up to this ‘extended’ conclave on Afghan situation, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar held a crucial meeting with the visiting Qatar’s envoy Mutaq bin Majed Al-Qahtani and told him that ‘rapid deterioration’ of the situation is ‘serious’.
“A peaceful and stable Afghanistan requires that the rights and interests of all sections of society are promoted and protected,” Dr Jaishankar tweeted.
Dr Jaishankar also shared the 'Indian perspective' on recent developments in Afghanistan. "Also the concerns of the region that I heard during recent interactions," the External Affairs Minister said.Al-Qahtani is special envoy of Qatar foreign minister for counter terrorism.
He visited Delhi as part of efforts to take forward the stalled talks and the Afghan peace process. Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringhla also held a separate meeting with Qahtani. India is keen to be a part of the August 11 meet in Doha and it was suggested earlier that China had earlier tried to scuttle India’s participation in the key deliberations.
Russia has backed the inclusion of India in talks along with Iran Dr Jaishankar has also visited Doha twice in the recent past and held parleys with Qatari leaders.
Of course, the United States has backed India attending the meeting. Notably, Dr Jaishankar had taken a flight to Iran lately and met the new president Ayatollah Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi.
Iran and India are trying to chart out a common strategy and position on Afghan situation. The situation in Afghanistan has rapidly deteriorated forcing the international community to raise eyebrows on the developments. Iran has considerable influence on regional Taliban leaders.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has also spoken to his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that Russia will continue to work with India and other countries on Afghanistan issues.
Earlier Doha Talks had taken place on March 18 and April 30. Russia has also been holding the ‘Moscow Format’ of talks.
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