Regional
India will never abandon Afghanistan: Doval at Moscow meeting
Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Advisor (NSA), participated in the 5th Moscow Format Meeting on Afghanistan on Wednesday and said India would never abandon Afghanistan.
Security chiefs from India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan were invited by Russia to the Moscow Format Meeting to discuss various Afghanistan-related topics, including security and the humanitarian crisis.
Doval said in the meeting “Afghanistan is passing through a difficult phase. India has a historical and special relationship with Afghanistan. The well-being and humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan are India’s foremost priorities. This will continue to guide our approach.”
He added that India has extended its humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan and has so far sent 40,000 tons of wheat, 60 tons of medication, 500,000 Covid vaccinations, winter clothing, and tons of disaster relief.
“India’s technical team is overseeing our humanitarian assistance program. Standing with Aghans, India has granted new scholarships to 2,260 Afghan students, including 300 Afghan girls, during the past two years,” he said.
Doval also stated that “no country should be allowed to use Afghanistan’s soil to export terrorism and radicalization.”
He also emphasized the need for security cooperation of all the regional countries at the conference to deal with the emerging security challenges in the country, such as Daesh and other terror outfits.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was not present at the Moscow security summit.
However, Zabiullah Mujahid, the IEA spokesman, had asked the member countries to allow the IEA envoy to attend the meeting.
Regional
UAE President arrives in Pakistan on first official visit
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Islamabad on Friday on his first official visit to Pakistan, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Geo News reported.
He was received by Prime Minister Sharif and senior officials, with his aircraft escorted by Pakistan Air Force jets upon entering Pakistani airspace. The UAE president is accompanied by a high-level delegation.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the visit aims to review bilateral relations and discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Regional
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un signals continued missile development over next five years
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has signaled that the country will continue developing missiles over the next five years, following visits to major munitions enterprises in the last quarter of 2025, state media KCNA reported on Friday.
Kim said the country’s missile and shell production sector is “of paramount importance in bolstering war deterrence,” according to KCNA.
The report said Kim ratified draft documents on the modernization of key munitions enterprises, which will be submitted to a major ruling party congress expected to be held in early 2026. The congress is set to outline North Korea’s development plan for the next five years.
KCNA’s report follows Thursday’s disclosure that Kim oversaw the construction of an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered submarine alongside his daughter, widely seen as a potential successor, as well as the test-firing of long-range surface-to-air missiles.
Regional
Turkey detains 115 suspected Daesh members believed planning attacks
Turkish authorities have detained 115 suspected Daesh members they said were planning to carry out attacks on Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country, the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office said on Thursday.
Istanbul Police obtained information that Daesh members had planned attacks in Turkey, against non-Muslims in particular, during Christmas and New Year celebrations, the prosecutor’s office posted on X, Reuters reported.
The police raided 124 places in Istanbul, capturing 115 of the 137 suspects they were seeking, the statement said. Several pistols and ammunition were seized, it said.
-
Latest News3 days agoAfghanistan exports 10 containers of batteries to Saudi Arabia and UAE for first time
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistani cleric condemns lifetime immunity for Army Chief as un-Islamic
-
Latest News2 days agoOmari and Iranian ambassador meet to strengthen Afghan migrant labor ties
-
Business2 days agoSharp drop in exports to Afghanistan drives Pakistan’s trade deficit surge
-
Latest News3 days agoPakistan’s actions target militants, not religious sites: Khawaja Asif
-
International Sports4 days agoAriana News to broadcast key AFC Champions League Two clash
-
Health4 days agoAfghan Health Minister hails India visit as new chapter in bilateral ties
-
Regional4 days agoPakistan agrees to $4 billion arms deal with Libyan National Army
