Russia and India discuss Afghanistan situation in Moscow

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar discussed the situation in Afghanistan during talks in Moscow. The discussions were held alongside consultations on several other regional and international issues.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Jaishankar travelled to Moscow on Monday, Aug. 24, to take part in a meeting of the Russia-India intergovernmental commission. In addition to Afghanistan, the two sides also discussed Iran and Ukraine, the ministry said in a statement.

The statement added that the foreign ministers also exchanged views on joint cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS and the G20. No further details were released about the Afghanistan-focused part of the talks.

Russia, despite being the only country to recognise the Taliban administration, continues to express concerns about drug trafficking, the activity of terrorist groups and the presence of Islamic State in Afghanistan. India has also increased its diplomatic contacts and engagement with the Taliban administration since its return to power.

Russia and India are both seen as important regional players on Afghanistan, and their positions and discussions on the situation in the country carry significant weight in regional diplomatic developments.