Russia, Iran to attend NSAs meeting on Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Russia, Iran and some Central Asian countries have confirmed participation in a conference of regional national security advisors (NSAs) in India.

India is scheduled to host the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan on November 10. Pakistan has announced its boycott of the event.

With China yet to decide on its participation, the Deccan Chronicle quoted an unnamed government official as calling Pakistan’s decision “unfortunate, but not surprising”.

The official accused Pakistan, India’s arch rival, of playing a “pernicious” role in Afghanistan. Pakistan was looking at the neighbour as its “protectorate”, the source alleged.

For the first time, the official claimed, all Central Asian countries — not just Afghanistan’s immediate neighbours — are attending the conference.

Earlier in the week, Pakistani NSA Moeed Yusuf said he would not travel to New Delhi to attend the conference, slamming India as a spoiler in Afghanistan.

PAN Monitor/mud