India is trying to maintain a realistic approach in Afghanistan and is eyeing certain diplomatic gains due to its 'contacts' and having a cordial and historical bond with the people of Afghanistan.
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to share the stage in virtual mode with a galaxy of regional and global leaders including his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan and Chinese and Russian presidents, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
All eyes are on the 21st Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State to be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on Friday, September 17.
Prime Minister Modi will lead the Indian delegation and address the plenary session of the Summit via video-link. The meeting will certainly focus on the Afghanistan situation. Coincidentally, Sept 17 is also Mr Modi's birthday.
There are issues about the Taliban regime in Afghanistan which captured power via gun-power and is adamant about enforcing the medieval interpretation of the Sharia where women may not have any rights.
At Dushanbe, India will be represented by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. But there are no details about his bilateral engagements there.
Like Modi, Xi Jinping and Putin are also to address the meeting virtually but Pakistan Prime Minister Imran is attending the meeting in person which will discuss matters related to humanitarian and security situations in Afghanistan.
In a media interview, Imran Khan has demanded financial 'incentives' for the Taliban dispensation.
Tajikistan, which is hosting the SCO Summit, is generally seen as opposed to the Taliban as Tajiks form the second largest minority in Afghanistan and they are not sure of the well-being of Tajiks in a Pashtun dominated arrangement under Talibans.
India is keen to keep a good and 'historical bond' with the 'Afghan people' but has strong reservations on recognising the Taliban.
New Delhi has been told that one Afghan Hindu individual, Bansari Lal Arendeh, kidnapped in Kabul is an Indian national.
MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday : “We are told he is an Indian national. We are in touch with all concerned. We have seen reports that local authorities are undertaking an investigation. We will continue to monitor the situation".
India also sees the case as ‘sensitive’.
Arrendeh is a pharmaceutical shop owner in Kabul and was allegedly kidnapped on Tuesday morning.
Iran and Afghanistan have observer status in the SCO. India and Pakistan have been in the group since 2017.
The SCO member states include Afghanistan’s neighbours – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and also China and Russia.
India considers the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as an important regional organization to promote cooperation in peace, security, trade, economy and culture.
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Jaishankar meets Chinese FM, says Beijing must give up third country prism
New Delhi: Having landed in Dushanbe in Tajikistan for the much awaited SCO Meeting,External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishanar held crucial bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpartWang Yi and underlined in crystal clear language that Beijing should give up the "lens of a third country".
For his part, he also emphasized that "India does not subscribe to any clash of civilisations theory",
Dr Jaishankar penned in a missive on the micro blogging site Twitter.
"As for Asian solidarity, it is for China and India to set an example," he tweeted
and also said: "It is also essential that China does not view its relations with India through the lens of a third country".
Obviously, the reference is Pakistan, which has lately drawn international attention for its double standards
on Taliban and issues related to war against terror.
Chinese and Russian Presidents Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan are set to attend the virtual Summit meet along with Indian PM Narendra Modi on Friday.
"Met Chinese FM Wang Yi on the sidelines of SCO Summit in Dushanbe," Dr Jaishankarwrote on the micro blogging site.
He said: "Discussed disengagement in our border areas. Underlined that progress in this regard is essential for restoration of peace and tranquillity, which is the basis for development of bilateral ties".
He said both the leaders also exchanged views on global developments.
Dr Jaishankar also held talks with Kyrgyz Republic Foreign Minister, Ruslan Kazakbaev.
"Noted our growing development partnership. Agreed to strengthen our traditional cooperation on regional and multilateral issues," Dr Jaishankar wrote.
In another he thanked Tajik President Emomali Rahmon for "receiving me".
The Minister conveyed greetings of the Prime Minister Modi.
"Exchanged views on recent developments in Afghanistan and their impact on regional security.
India and Tajikistan are strong partners in fighting terrorism, fundamentalism and radicalism," he wrote.
The External Affairs Minister also had a good discussion with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin. Dr Jaishankar said he is looking forward to continue the parleys on Friday.
Prime Minister Modi will address the SCO Summit via video link. The Summit will be hostedby the Tajikistan President.
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