NSA Doval visits Moscow, discuss Afghanistan

New Delhi: The visit of NSA Ajit Doval to Moscow came at a time when India is increasingly engaging with the US in many sectors of strategic importance. India Russia friendship is a time tested one. Amoung other issues Afghanistan was the issue at hand. Doval participated at the 5th Multilateral Meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils/National Security Advisers on Afghanistan early February 2023. Apart from the host country, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan were represented at this meeting. Issues discussed included the security and humanitarian challenges facing Afghanistan.

In his remarks, NSA stressed the need to ensure that the territory of Afghanistan does not become a source of radicalization and terrorism, regionally or globally, as well as to intensify intelligence and security cooperation to deal with terror outfits, including those designated under the UNSCR 1267. He also pointed out that the well-being and humanitarian needs of the Afghan people is India’s foremost priority.

NSA Ajit Doval also called on the President of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Vladimir Putin and had wide-ranging discussions on bilateral and regional issues. It was agreed to continue work towards implementing the India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership.

On 09 February 2023, NSA Ajit Doval held a bilateral dialogue with Secretary of the Russian Security Council, His Excellency Nikolai Patrushev and discussed issues, including bilateral relations, regional and international developments. He also met with Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Minister of Trade and Industry, His Excellency Denis Manturov and discussed issues pertaining to bilateral defence and economic cooperation.