Putin and Modi Coordinate on Aid for Afghanistan, Fight against Terror and Narcotics

July 12--Among the many positive outcomes of the two-day discussions and agreements in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was the announcement of a high-level, jointly-coordinated policy on Afghanistan in their Joint Statement following the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit Joint Statement following the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit, paragraphs 72 and 73:

“72. The Sides noted with appreciation the close coordination between India and Russia on Afghanistan including through the dialogue mechanism between the Security Councils of both countries. Both Sides discussed the situation in Afghanistan, including the security situation and its implications in the region, the current political situation, issues related to terrorism, radicalization and drug trafficking. They advocated for Afghanistan as an independent, united and peaceful state free from terrorism, war and drugs, living in peace with its neighbors and ensuring respect for basic human rights and freedoms, including for the most vulnerable sections of the Afghan society. They emphasized the important role of the Moscow Format meetings to facilitate the Afghan settlement.

“73. The Leaders welcomed the counter-terrorism measures against international terrorist groups, including in particular ISIS, and other groups and expressed confidence that the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan would be comprehensive and effective. They stressed the need to ensure urgent and uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people without any political demands.”

Notably, the term “without political demands” contrasts with the policy at the December 2023 Doha meeting, where the West upheld “women rights first” as a pretext to prevent the lifting of the financial sanctions, and to keep Afghanistan as a black hole on the map to sabotage Eurasian integration.

Already in December 2023, Kazakhstan took the Taliban off its list of terrorist organizations. After the Taliban participation at the June 5-8 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, it is expected Russia will follow, since concluding trade agreements with an organization that’s officially listed as a terrorist group cannot function. Of course, the next step following Taliban’s delisting as a terrorist organization could be its official recognition as a legitimate state power.