New Delhi (NVI): Afghanistan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar arrived in India today on a three-day visit, that is partially being seen as Kabul’s efforts to appease India and hold discussions with Indian leaders on its situation back home, even as New Delhi was not invited in a multi-nation conference hosted by Russia in Moscow last week.
The Afghan Foreign Minister arrived in New Delhi in the afternoon amid hectic peace talks with Taliban. He was received by a senior government official. Atmar is scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
“Arrived in beautiful & historic city of Delhi for a 3-day working visit. Look forward to holding talks with FM @DrSJaishankar & senior govt officials of Flag of India on #AfghanPeaceProcess, upcoming regional forums on peace & development in Flag of Afghanistan, security & economic cooperation,” he said in a tweet.
Arrived in beautiful & historic city of Delhi for a 3-day working visit. Look forward to holding talks with FM @DrSJaishankar & senior govt officials of ?? on #AfghanPeaceProcess, upcoming regional forums on peace & development in ??, security & economic cooperation.
— Mohammed Haneef Atmar محمد حنیف اتمر (@MHaneefAtmar) March 22, 2021
He is expected to apprise EAM Jaishankar about the deliberations of the conference held in Moscow on March 18, which was attended by Foreign Ministers of the US, Russia, China, and Pakistan, besides Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and leaders of Taliban.
Russia, host of the multi-nation conference called the ‘expanded Troika’ did not invite India, toeing the Pakistani line that New Delhi has no direct stakes in Afghanistan. Russia’s attitude is conspicuous considering that it has been India’s traditional partner.
-ARK
