The India-Central Asia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Afghanistan held its first meeting in New Delhi on March 7, 2023.
The Special Envoys and Senior Officials of the Republics of India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan were at the conference. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) and United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) country representatives also attended the discussion, according to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Envoys discussed essential issues related to Afghanistan, including the country’s political, security and humanitarian situation.
The parties reaffirmed their support for an Afghanistan that is peaceful, secure, and stable while highlighting the importance of respecting its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity and refraining from meddling in its internal affairs.
On the other hand, all parties emphasized forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan to respect the rights of all Afghans, including women, ethnic groups, and political parties.
In the meeting, the threats from terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking in the region were also discussed, including the coordinating responses.
It also emphasized the sovereignty of Afghanistan and supported a peaceful Afghanistan while noting that the country’s territory should not use against any country.
“The territory of Afghanistan should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist acts and reaffirmed that no terrorist organizations, including those designated by the UNSC resolution 1267, should be provided sanctuary or allowed to use the territory of Afghanistan,” the statement read.
The humanitarian aid to the most needful people of Afghanistan by the UN World Food Program, including the aid requirement for the year ahead, was also discussed. India announced a supply of 20,000 MTs of wheat assistance to Afghanistan in partnership with UNWFP through Chabahar Port.
The parties also note continuing to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan due to the current humanitarian crisis in the country.
Meanwhile, all participants agreed to continue consultations in Joint Working group meetings regularly.
