Russia pushes for India's inclusion in Afghan 'Quad', calls for India-Pakistan dialogue

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has suggested the inclusion of India in the four-country grouping that is working to stabilize and aid Afghanistan. He also advocated for India-Pakistan to sit down and address each other’s concerns.

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The Russian minister also urged Islamabad to ‘join hands’ with India and Afghanistan, in addressing threats of terrorism.

Lavrov addressed the media in Moscow on Tuesday evening and a video of his remarks was posted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia on its social media platforms.

“For Russia, China, Pakistan and Iran, engaging with India would be right thing to do in Afghanistan,” he said.

The four countries call themselves the ‘Quad’ and held their third meeting on ‘Afghanistan’ on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September last year.

At the meeting, they reiterated support for Afghanistan's national sovereignty, political independence, unity, and territorial integrity. India is already part of the Afghanistan reconstruction process under what is called the ‘Moscow format’.

The Russian minister’s statement comes a week after Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai, and expressed readiness to respond to the urgent developmental needs of Afghanistan, including support for health sector, rehabilitation of refugees and strengthening ties to promote sports. 

India has previously dispatched several shipments consisting of 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat, 300 tonnes of medicines, 27 tonnes of earthquake relief aid, 40,000 litres of pesticides, 100 million polio doses, 1.5 million doses of COVID Vaccine, 11,000 units of hygiene kits for the drug de-addiction programme, 500 units of winter clothing and 1.2 tonnes of stationery kits, etc.

Meanwhile, Lavrov also advocated for Pakistan and India to sit down and talk to each other. He referred to the ‘Moscow format’ saying it provides India, Pakistan and China more opportunities to communicate and better understand each other.

“(They can) ask each other disturbing questions and seek answers. We would be lending a helping hand doing our best to help and this was in the best interest of the region,” he added.

On Pakistan tackling terrorism, the Russian minister said, “It was a victim and target of terrorism. It requires joining hands with Afghanistan and India and other countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation against terrorism.”

Lavrov reminded Pakistan how its territory and neighbouring Afghanistan and Central Asia had become a breeding ground for terrorists to make and execute their unlawful plans.

On Russia-Pakistan relations, the minister said the ties have been improving and “we are at the most positive stage for decades”.