India, Russia to confer on situation in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Indian and Russian foreign ministers are set to discuss the current situation in Afghanistan, The Hindustan Times reported on Tuesday.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would visit Russia later this week, with Afghanistan high on the agenda, the daily said.

Jaishankar is expected to meet several high-ranking Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He will also attend the annual India-Russia Summit.

Russia views India as a key player in forging a coordinated response to the situation in Afghanistan, the newspaper quoted unnamed sources as saying.

The two foreign ministers “will discuss all bilateral and international developments, including current issues such as Afghanistan.”

With foreign troops withdrawing from Afghanistan, the Taliban have made significant territorial gains, especially in northern Afghanistan.

The situation in northern provinces, bordering Central Asian countries, has set alarm bells ringing in Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

PAN Monitor/mud