Moscow, India, others rally behind Afghanistan amidst Bagram airbase tussle

The 7th Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan has concluded in Russia with participants issuing a joint statement heavily hinting at a joint opposition to any foreign military infrastructure in Afghanistan.

Special representatives and senior officials from Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated in the meeting, while a delegation from Belarus also attended as guests.

The Afghan delegation attending as full members for the first time since 2021, was led by Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. He is expected in India later this week on an official visit lasting till 16th October.

Their participation as a member comes just a few months after the Russian Federation officially recognised the Taliban government in early July this year.

In a joint statement, all parties “reaffirmed their unwavering support for the establishment of Afghanistan as an independent, united and peaceful state.”

Officials from the de facto Afghan authorities had previously attended the Moscow Format meetings but were only invited as guests or observers.

The participants opposed the politicisation of humanitarian aid and underscored the need for continued support to the Afghan people.

The statement read, “The parties reiterated their commitment to continue humanitarian support to the Afghan people and called on the international community to intensify the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, while simultaneously reaffirming opposition to attempts to politicise it.”

The parties called for stronger counter-terrorism cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels and stressed the need to support Afghanistan “to undertake comprehensive measures aimed at the elimination of terrorism and its eradication within a short timeframe so that Afghan soil is not used as a threat to the security of neighbouring countries and beyond.”

The parties also noted that terrorism remains a serious threat to “Afghanistan, the region, and the wider world.”

The statement also called on the countries “responsible” for the current situation in Afghanistan to “earnestly fulfil commitments on the economic recovery and future development of Afghanistan.”

In what seems to be a response to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump regarding his desire to retake Bagram airbase, the joint statement emphasised that any kind of military presence in Afghanistan or neighbouring countries is unacceptable and would harm regional peace and stability.

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