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New gov’t to be formed post-intra-Afghan dialogue: US diplomat
An American diplomat in Afghanistan says that the current government will be short term because a new government would be formed after the intra-Afghan dialogue.
According to him, the current teams in power are not inclusive, warning the Afghan leaders that the formation of the parallel administrations could weaken the Afghan national forces, and on the other hand, it could strengthen the Taliban.
Following the conflicted election between Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, it seems like the American ally has been fed up as the US announced cutting down $1 Billion of its aid to Afghanistan, and now, an American diplomat warns Arg and Sapidar of the shortage of their governance.
The diplomat states he is sure that an all-inclusive delegation will be formed, because there is no other way around, adding that the agreement between the Afghan government and the Taliban should be acceptable for the former and present major elements of Afghanistan.
He emphasizes on the inclusivity of the delegation and says that the lists of prisoners have been swapped between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
He further says that the escalation in violence by the Taliban is not acceptable noting that the reason behind this is the delay in the release of the Taliban prisoners. He emphasizes on forming an all-inclusive delegation should be made to run the intra-Afghan talks noting that he doesn’t want Afghanistan to meet Syria’s fate.
The American diplomat adds that it is only these two small teams that have created the problem. It is not worth it to make such troubles for power – a short term power, he added, the process of peace is important. The US cut its aid only to warn these two, to tell them how dangerous it is and how unhappy the US is, he noted.
It comes as the Afghan government held a 4-hour video conference on Wednesday with the Taliban representatives and discussed prisoner releases, the Taliban spokesman for Qatar office, Suhail Shaheen said, adding that the prisoner swap process would begin by March 31st.
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India, Russia hold security talks on Afghanistan and Pakistan amid regional tensions
The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation under the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
India and Russia have held the seventh round of security consultations on Afghanistan and Pakistan, discussing regional developments and their implications for international security.
The talks, held in New Delhi on Wednesday, were co-chaired by Pavan Kapoor, India’s Deputy National Security Adviser, and Aleksandr Venediktov, Deputy Secretary of Russia’s Security Council.
During his visit, Venediktov also met with India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said both sides held wide-ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest, including security developments involving Afghanistan and Pakistan and their broader international implications.
The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation under the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
Russia Offers to Help Ease Afghanistan-Pakistan Conflict
The latest consultations come amid continuing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with Moscow expressing its readiness to help facilitate an end to the conflict.
Following the Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan on October 5, Russia’s presidential special representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said Moscow was prepared to provide assistance if both sides requested it.
“Russia is ready to assist in ending this conflict in any possible, permissible way,” Kabulov said, adding that Moscow could act independently or in cooperation with its partners.
India Reaffirms Support for Afghanistan’s Sovereignty
During the October 5 Moscow Format meeting, India reiterated its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, while emphasizing its continued commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people.
The latest India-Russia dialogue provides a bilateral platform for the two countries to exchange assessments of security developments concerning Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The discussions underscore the continued engagement of regional powers on Afghanistan-related security concerns as diplomatic efforts to address tensions between Kabul and Islamabad remain in focus.
Shahabuddin Delawar, president of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), met with Richard Lindsay, the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, to discuss the country’s humanitarian situation and ways to expand assistance for vulnerable communities.
According to ARCS, the meeting focused on support for people affected by natural disasters, Afghan returnees and other vulnerable groups, particularly their urgent humanitarian and healthcare needs.
Delawar thanked the United Kingdom for its humanitarian assistance to people affected by natural disasters and briefed Lindsay on the ARCS’s humanitarian and healthcare activities.
He highlighted the society’s services for children with congenital heart defects at its cardiac hospital, vocational training and skills development programs for vulnerable women and children across seven regional zones, mental healthcare services, and assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.
Delawar said decades of hardship had left many Afghans facing mental health challenges, while vulnerable families continued to struggle with difficult living conditions. He stressed the need for expanded humanitarian assistance and healthcare support.
Referring to the return of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries, Delawar said many families urgently need shelter, food, non-food items and medical services. He called for greater UK cooperation to help meet returnees’ basic needs.
Lindsay praised the ARCS’s humanitarian work and pledged continued cooperation in supporting returnees and other humanitarian initiatives in the coming year. He also said he would seek to facilitate effective cooperation with the society in the healthcare sector.
Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation to expand humanitarian assistance, support vulnerable communities and improve healthcare services in Afghanistan.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Yatin Patel, India’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul, on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Muttaqi emphasized that, in line with its balanced foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate attaches importance to relations with India.
Referring to the growing volume of trade between the two countries, he stressed the need to strengthen communication and cooperation between Afghanistan’s and India’s public and private sectors, adding that cooperation should be expanded to make better use of existing capacities.
Meanwhile, Yatin Patel said India seeks to expand its relations and engagement with Afghanistan in the economic, political and humanitarian fields.
Muttaqi also wished Patel success in his new assignment.
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