Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan

Question: Consider the following statements;
(i) A regional security summit was hosted by India on November 10, 2021 on the issue of Afghanistan.
(ii) Total eight nation attended the conference.
(iii) Pakistan and China did not join the conference.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) i
(b) ii,iii
(c) i,ii,iii
(d) iii
Ans: c
Recent Context

  • On 10th November 2021 India hosted a regional security summit with focus on various issues related to current situation in Afghanistan.

Related Facts

  • Total eight nations, attended the conference i.e. India, Russia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
  • The national security advisors of each country represented their country in the conference.
  • National Security Advisors of eight countries, including India, expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and said assistance should be provided in an “unimpeded, direct and assured manner”.
  • With upcoming winter millions of Afghans are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
  • Countries issued a joint statement, dubbed as “Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan”.

Joint Declaration by Countries

  • Strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan while emphasizing the respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs.
  • Call for a collective cooperation against the menace of radicalization, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking in the region.
  • Reiterated commitment to provide assistance to Afghanistan to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  • Stressed the necessity of forming an open and truly inclusive government that represents the will of all the people of Afghanistan and has representation from all sections of their society.
  • They reaffirmed their firm commitment to tackle terrorism in all forms and manifestations.
  • They also seek to combat terror financing, dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and counter radicalisation in a bid to ensure that Afghanistan will never become a safe haven for terrorism.

About the Meet

  • This is the third meeting of the process that was initiated by Iran in 2018.
  • 2nd meet was also organized by India.
  • This is the first meet which saw the participation of all the Central Asian countries and Russia which was the initiator of the idea.
  • China and Pakistan did not attend the meet.

By Kameshwar Shukla

Reference:

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-declaration-afghanistan-soil-terrorism-7616480/