India condemned Pakistan’s decision to not join the National Security Advisor (NS)-level talks on Afghanistan and said that Islamabad’s move is ‘unfortunate, but not surprising’. Agency reports citing government sources said that New Delhi believes that Pakistan’s decision to not join the meeting reflects Islamabad’s ‘mindset of viewing Afghanistan as its protectorate’.

As reported earlier by Times Now, India will be hosting NSA-level regional conference in New Delhi on Afghanistan, on November 10. NSA Ajit Doval will chair the meeting. Pakistan had earlier confirmed that it has received the invitation but clarified that it will not be joining the meeting.

Russia, Iran confirm participation

Central Asian countries, as well as Russia and Iran, have confirmed participation in the meeting. India had extended invitations to China and Pakistan, however, Pakistan indicated through the media that it will not attend.

“The high-level participation in next week’s meeting hosted by India reflects the widespread & growing concern of regional countries about situation in Afghanistan and their desire to consult and coordinate with each other. India has an important role to play in this process,” sources said, news agency ANI reported.

Sources said that Pakistan has not attended previous meetings of this format. Two earlier meetings in this format have been held in Iran in September 2018 and December 2019. The third meeting in India could not be held earlier due to the COVID-19 pandemic.