NSA GRAVELY CONCERNED ABOUT PERSISTENCE OF TERROR NETWORKS IN AFGHANISTAN

NSA Ajit Doval said on Tuesday that "persistence of terrorist networks in the region, including in Afghanistan, is a cause of deep concern" and urged Central Asian countries to ask UN members to stop giving any support to entities or people involved in terrorist acts.

He was speaking during the first meeting of national security advisers and secretaries of security councils between India and Central Asia, which included participants from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The ambassador of Turkmenistan was present in New Delhi.

"Afghanistan is an important issue concerning us all. India's concerns and objectives with regard to immediate priorities and the way forward are similar to those of many of us around the table. Persistence of terrorist networks in the region including in Afghanistan is also a matter of deep concern," he said.

The NSA said: Financing is the lifeblood of terrorism, and we should all give equal priority to fighting terror financing.

Doval asked that the Central Asian nations urge UN members to uphold their obligations set forth in the relevant counterterrorism convention and protocols and refrain from lending any support to entities or individuals engaged in terrorist acts.

Your presence confirms our ability to work together, and it will make the discussions more interesting. We have an extended neighbourhood in Central Asia. which we share civilisation links with and give this region the highest priority, the NSA declared welcoming the participants.

A stable, safe, and prosperous Central Asia is in our shared interest, according to Doval, who noted that the meeting is taking place at a period of significant turbulence in international relations.

The meeting today is significant because it gives us a chance to talk about issues that call for more coordination and cooperation among the regional nations, he continued.

The NSA emphasised connectivity with Central Asian nations as one of India's top priorities.

We are prepared to work together, make investments, and improve connectivity in the area, he said.

The NSA continued: While expanding connectivity, it is crucial to make sure that connectivity initiatives are consultative, transparent, and participatory.

The meeting is a result of the agreement made during the first India-Central Asia Summit on January 27 of this year, where it was decided that the nations would regularly conduct Secretaries of the Security Council meetings to talk about regional security issues.