India hosts talks on Afghanistan boycotted by rival Pakistan

By SHEIKH SAALIQ
Associated Press

NEW DELHI (AP) — India has hosted senior security officials from Russia, Iran and five Central Asian countries to discuss the ramifications of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in talks that were boycotted by Pakistan and China. A joint statement after the meeting said the eight nations also discussed threats of terrorism, radicalization and drug trafficking and the need for humanitarian assistance. India’s national security adviser invited security chiefs from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for the meeting. Afghan representatives were not invited. Pakistan and China declined to attend, with Pakistan’s national security adviser saying India is not a peacemaker in Afghanistan. India’s leaders fear the Taliban victory benefit Pakistan.