NEW DELHI: Following German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a 45-minute conversation with Afghan President Vladimir Putin, which focuses on Afghanistan, as the two sides shared assessments and tried to coordinate actions to ensure regional security.
India and Russia agreed to establish a “bilateral channel” for consultations with Modi’s tweets: “He had a detailed and useful exchange of views with my friend President Putin on recent events in Afghanistan. We also discuss issues on the bilateral agenda, including India. Russia’s cooperation against Covid-19. We agree to continue close consultations on important issues. ”
Modi-Putin’s conversation comes at a time when G-7 leaders have gathered virtually to discuss the Afghan situation. A reading from the Russian embassy here said: “During the exchange of views on the situation in Afghanistan, the parties noted the importance of coordinated efforts that would contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in that country, ensuring security in the region as a whole. ”
India and Russia agreed to continue consultations, but both countries are addressing the Afghan issue from different positions. Russia has openly courted the Taliban in recent years. It remains to be seen how it will work in the coming months. India has refrained from implicating the Taliban in a significant way, but with a huge development presence in that country, the question is whether any compromise is possible.
The conversation coincided with the first meeting of the NSAs of the Brics nations after the capture of Afghanistan by the Taliban. NSA Ajit Doval would have had a good idea of how Russia and China work together in Afghanistan.
A reading of the MEA meeting said that a plan was adopted to further strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms in areas such as financing and the fight against terrorism, the misuse of the internet by terrorists, the curb of terrorist travel, border controls, protection of soft targets, information sharing, capacity building and regional and international cooperation.
Much attention was paid to the “increased risk of growth in illegal drug production and trafficking in the region.” This was also part of the discussion between Modi and Putin that sought to “improve cooperation to combat the spread of terrorist ideology and the threat of drugs emanating from the territory of Afghanistan.”
The Kremlin statement said Modi “expressed his gratitude to Vladimir Putin for assistance in fighting the spread of Covid-19 infection, including the supply and production of Russian vaccine in India. , as well as the shipment of the necessary medicines and medical equipment “.
India and Russia agreed to establish a “bilateral channel” for consultations with Modi’s tweets: “He had a detailed and useful exchange of views with my friend President Putin on recent events in Afghanistan. We also discuss issues on the bilateral agenda, including India. Russia’s cooperation against Covid-19. We agree to continue close consultations on important issues. ”
Modi-Putin’s conversation comes at a time when G-7 leaders have gathered virtually to discuss the Afghan situation. A reading from the Russian embassy here said: “During the exchange of views on the situation in Afghanistan, the parties noted the importance of coordinated efforts that would contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in that country, ensuring security in the region as a whole. ”
India and Russia agreed to continue consultations, but both countries are addressing the Afghan issue from different positions. Russia has openly courted the Taliban in recent years. It remains to be seen how it will work in the coming months. India has refrained from implicating the Taliban in a significant way, but with a huge development presence in that country, the question is whether any compromise is possible.
The conversation coincided with the first meeting of the NSAs of the Brics nations after the capture of Afghanistan by the Taliban. NSA Ajit Doval would have had a good idea of how Russia and China work together in Afghanistan.
A reading of the MEA meeting said that a plan was adopted to further strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms in areas such as financing and the fight against terrorism, the misuse of the internet by terrorists, the curb of terrorist travel, border controls, protection of soft targets, information sharing, capacity building and regional and international cooperation.
Much attention was paid to the “increased risk of growth in illegal drug production and trafficking in the region.” This was also part of the discussion between Modi and Putin that sought to “improve cooperation to combat the spread of terrorist ideology and the threat of drugs emanating from the territory of Afghanistan.”
The Kremlin statement said Modi “expressed his gratitude to Vladimir Putin for assistance in fighting the spread of Covid-19 infection, including the supply and production of Russian vaccine in India. , as well as the shipment of the necessary medicines and medical equipment “.