CURBING TERROR FINANCING IN AFGHANISTAN

• Curbing terrorism and terrorist financing in Afghanistan, and the use of trade and connectivity routes via Iran are key to regional security, said India as National Security Adviser (NSA) AjitDoval chaired the first India-Central Asia meeting of NSAs and Secretaries of Security Councils in Delhi on Tuesday.
• The day-long meeting, which was the outcome of the India-Central Asia virtual summit held in January this year, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and agreed to have security chiefs meet on a regular basis to discuss India’s “extended neighbourhood”.
• “The [Security Advisers] discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the security and stability of the region, reiterating strong support for a peaceful, stable and secure Afghanistan, emphasising respect for its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and urging non-interference in its internal affairs,” said a joint communique at the end of the meeting, adding that all the countries present had concerns about the “current deteriorating humanitarian situation” in Afghanistan and the need to ensure that terrorist groups don’t find safe haven there.
• The meeting, which focussed on the situation on Afghanistan, is among a number of conversations New Delhi is having this week with various stakeholders.

SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB