The Third Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan held in New Delhi  emphasised that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist acts.

The Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan was adopted during the National Security Advisor (NSA)-level talks on Afghanistan hosted by India. NSAs and equivalent officials of Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended the NSA meeting on Afghanistan in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Speaking during the meeting, NSA Ajit Doval said that the current situation in Afghanistan will have implications not only for the people of Afghanistan but even for the security of its neighbours in the region.

“This is a time for close consultation amongst us greater cooperation and interaction and coordination amongst the regional countries. I am confident that our deliberation will be productive useful and will contribute to helping the people of Afghanistan and will enhance our collective security,” Doval said.

Delhi Declaration calls for ensuring fundamental rights of women, children

The Delhi Declaration emphasized the importance of ensuring that the fundamental rights of women, children and minority communities in Afghanistan are not violated. It also underlined the need to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan in light of COVID-19.

Reiterating the internationally-stated stand that Afghanistan’s soil should not be used as safe haven for terror, the Delhi Declaration called for collective cooperation against the menace of radicalization, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking in the region. 

Eight countries, including India, attended the NSA-level dialogue on Afghanistan hosted by NSA Ajit Doval. While China and Pakistan were also invited to the meet, they declined to participate in the event in light of the severed diplomatic ties between New Delhi, Islamabad and Beijing.