Afghanistan figures in EAM’s talks with Qatar, Kuwait FMs
New Delhi, Jan 22 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday spoke with his counterparts from Kuwait and Qatar, during which he discussed bilateral relations as well as exchanged views on the region, especially Afghanistan.
The EAM spoke with Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.
The two exchanged views on Afghanistan, and on their bilateral, economic and energy cooperation.
“A good conversation today with DPM and FM of Qatar @MBA_AlThani_
“Included an exchange of views on developments relating to Afghanistan.
“Also spoke on our bilateral, economic and energy cooperation.
“Look forward to the meeting of our Joint Commission,” he said on Twitter.
He separately spoke with Kuwaiti FM Ahmed Nasser Mohammed Al Sabah, during which the two reviewed the progress in the bilateral relationship, and agreed on an early meeting of the Joint Commission.
They also exchanged views on the regional situation, including West Asia, the Gulf, Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.
“Nice to talk to FM @anmas71 of Kuwait.
“Reviewed the progress in our bilateral relationship. Agreed on an early meeting of our Joint Commission.
“Also talked about regional situations ranging from West Asia and the Gulf to Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.”
The talks with the Qatar FM come amid the background of Doha’s increasing relevance in Afghanistan and in connecting with the Taliban.
The Gulf state’s Special Envoy for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani was in Kabul two days ago, when he held talks with acting Afghan Minister of Interior Sirajuddin Haqqani, who figures on the FBI and the UN sanctions list.
Qatar has helped to facilitate the resumption of civilian flights at Kabul’s airport, following the takeover by the Taliban in August last year.
Al Qahtani also met with former Afghan leader Abdullah Abdullah in Kabul, where they discussed the latest developments in the country. He has interacted with the Taliban leadership on earlier occasions too.
In September 2020, Qatar hosted intra-Afghan talks in Doha and brought members of the former Afghan government and the Taliban around the same table to negotiate a political agreement. During another round of talks in Doha with the Taliban in August last year, days before its takeover of Kabul, Al Qahtani was in New Delhi and he had invited India to join the talks.
Kuwait, which hosts roughly 13,000 American troops and the forward command of U.S. Army Central, had proved a useful ally during the evacuation last year when it approved passage for 5,000 Afghan evacuees on their way to the US, and the first flight arrived in the country on August 24.
Both the Gulf nations also have a sizeable number of Indians living and working there.