India has urged countries of the Central Asian regions to use the port of Chabahar located on the southeast coast of Iran to enhance connectivity and trade with India and other countries in the world. Participating in the 6th Regional Dialogue of Secretaries of Security Councils/National Security Advisers on Afghanistan in Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, India’s Deputy National Security Adviser Vikram Misri called for an “inclusive and representative” government in Afghanistan and said the approach towards the Taliban-ruled country should be based on consensus.
During his interaction with delegates from Iran, Russia, Kyrgyzsthan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, Mr. Misri invited “Central Asian neighbours to utilise the Chabahar port as well as the Shaheed Behesti terminal at the port for maritime trade with India and other countries of the world,” said a source privy to the discussion that focused on terrorism, drug trafficking apart from connectivity in the region. India has not recognised the Taliban outfit which came to power in August 2021 after the end of the U.S. occupation. Last November, the old embassy of Afghanistan that was being run by diplomats aligned with the old regime of President Ashraf Ghani shut down and the facilities have been taken over in Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad by diplomats who did not leave India.
The discussion at Bishkek came days after barely a fortnight after the head of the Indian ‘technical team’ at Kabul participated in a discussion in Kabul with the stakeholders in Afghanistan that was chaired by the Taliban ‘foreign minister’ Amir Khan Muttaqi. India’s participation at the regional discussion in Kabul had raised eyebrows though officials here had underplayed that move. On Thursday, India highlighted ‘legitimate economic and security interests in Afghanistan’ and arguing that New Delhi ‘has been consistent and steadfast with its policy in support of peace, security and stability in Afghanistan.’
