Participating nations paid special attention to the current political situation and threats arising from terrorism, radicalisation and drug trafficking

Afghanistan and its territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist acts, the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue, attended by NSAs or Secretaries of the Security Councils from eight countries declared on Wednesday.

A joint statement, ‘Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan’ called for a collective cooperation against the menace of radicalization, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking in the region.

It condemned in the strongest terms all terrorist activities and reaffirmed their firm commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including its financing, the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and countering radicalization, to ensure that Afghanistan would never become a safe haven for global terrorism.

The Declaration 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, including major ethno-political forces in the country.

Inclusion of all sections of the society in the administrative and political structure is imperative for the successful national reconciliation process in the country, the Declaration maintained.

It reiterated 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.

The Declaration expressed deep concern over the suffering of the people of Afghanistan, arising from the security situation in the land locked country and condemned the terrorist attacks in Kunduz, Kandahar and Kabul.

Recalling the relevant UN Resolutions on Afghanistan, the participants at the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue noted that the United Nations has a central role to play in Afghanistan and that its continued presence in the country must be preserved.

They emphasized the importance of ensuring that the fundamental rights of women, children and minority communities are not violated.

The participants at the Dialogue expressed concern over the deteriorating socio-economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, and underlined the need to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

They reiterated that humanitarian assistance should be provided in an unimpeded, direct and assured manner to Afghanistan and that the assistance is distributed within the country in a non-discriminatory manner across all sections of the Afghan society.

They reiterated commitment to provide assistance to Afghanistan to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Also, they reiterated the importance of their dialogue and agreed to remain engaged with each other in the future.

The Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan was attended by National Security Advisers / Secretaries of the National Security Councils of India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.