India concerned about Afghan security situation: Rajnath Singh

TIL Desk/National/Moscow/India is concerned about the security situation in Afghanistan and will continue to support the local government’s efforts for peace, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday. The minister is in Moscow to participate in a joint meeting of the Defence Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.

Addressing the meeting, he said: “India will continue to support the efforts of the people and the government of Afghanistan for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled inclusive peace process.” He appreciated the role of SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan and how it is useful for exchanging notes among SCO member states.

The current security situation in Afghanistan remains volatile with both the Taliban and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) stepping up attacks across the country. Rajnath Singh also said that India is also deeply concerned about the situation in the Persian Gulf. He asserted that India has vital interests and civilisational links with all states in the Gulf.