NEW DELHI: Afghanistan’s Envoy to India Shaida Abdali on Tuesday exhorted India and the US – the strategic partner of the war-torn country – to revive the trilateral strategic partnership to counter terrorism.
Speaking at an event organised by the Indian chapter of the US’ think tank Brookings Institution, Abdali without naming Pakistan also contended that a lot is needed to be done by Islamabad to dismantled the terror infrastructure in the region.
“India, the US and Afghanistan are strategic partners. Reviving the strategic partnership, dialogue is highly necessary in war against terrorism,” Abdali said in the inaugural Ambassadorial address while appreciating India’s assistance to help capacity building in Afghanistan post conflict.
The Ambassador also made it clear that the Islamic State, referred as ‘Daesh’ in the country, is creation of splinter groups. It comes from same source from where terror groups come, which impact the region. Abdali said that a three front war needs to be fought to counter terrorism.
“The biggest challenge is terrorism. Terrorism is used as tool against India and Afghanistan…. We are in a new great game. New great game is at three-levels. One at the level of intelligence agencies, second is ideological and then the actual war,” Abdali said while elaborating on the situation in the region.
The Afghanistan’s envoy also emphasised that the defence cooperation between the two countries has been progressing well and said that it would be better it is not discussed publicly. India has lifted the self-imposed embargo in 2015 to supply lethal military equipment to Afghanistan as it gave four Russian-built helicopters last year. This was the first shift in the India’s foreign policy as it de-linked India and Pakistan. The Afghanistan Armed Forces has a bigger wish list and New Delhi might grant it.
China has also been active in providing military aid to Afghanistan to ensure the security of its multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passing through neighbouring Balochistan region. In July this year, China handed over its first military consignment to the strife-torn country. The delivery had parts of military vehicles, ammunition and weapons besides logistical equipment.