As long as the Afghan peace process moves forward, Russia intends to resume work on the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan, says the Russian foreign minister.
Moreover, Sergey Lavrov told The Hindustan Times that India was not a member of the extended Troika on Afghanistan. However, It included Russia, the United States, China, and Pakistan. On March 18, Moscow hosted intra-Afghan consultations as part of the extended Troika. This was to facilitate the start of the peace process, he explained.
At the same time, India is a part of the Moscow format, which brings together Afghanistan’s neighbours, key regional countries, and the United States,” the foreign minister added.
A composition of this type allows for the coordination of assistance to the national reconciliation process based on various regional consensus.
India a key player in Afghan Settlement
Lavrov stated India as a key player in the Afghan settlement. Therefore, India must participate in the global push for national reconciliation in Afghanistan.
He emphasised that the Taliban movement is a part of Afghan society. Whereas the decision about Afghan settlement requires the inclusion of all ethnic and special religious groups in Afghanistan. Otherwise, it would be unstable, so it should be on a balance of interests between political, ethnic, and religious groups. This must also include their representation in government bodies.”
