India, Central Asia to form working group on Afghanistan

India along with five Central Asian countries have decided to establish a Joint Working Group on Afghanistan, said an official statement Thursday.

The decision was made at the first India-Central Asia Summit hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov.

A Delhi Declaration issued after the virtual summit said there is a broad “regional consensus” on the issues related to Afghanistan which includes the formation of a truly representative and inclusive government, combating terrorism and drug trafficking, the central role of the UN, providing immediate humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan and preserving the rights of women, children and other national ethnic groups and minorities.

The leaders also discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the security and stability of the region. They reiterated their strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan while emphasizing respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs.

They also discussed the current humanitarian situation and decided to continue to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

The leaders welcomed the holding of the first India – Central Asia Summit and agreed to hold it every two years.