National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s team is taking the initiative to hold an in-person meet with key countries in the region and the world. The Sunday Express has learnt that the country’s top security establishment, the National Security Council Secretariat, is taking the lead in organising the conference and feelers are being sent to Afghanistan’s neighbours such as Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and key players including Russia, China, US and European partners like the EU, France, Germany and the UK. Representatives from the UN are also expected to be invited.

Pakistani sources confirmed that Pakistan's National security advisor Moeed Yusuf received the invitation last week.

According to an ANI report, if Pakistan agrees to attend the NSA-level conference, it would mark the first visit by incumbent NSA Yusuf to India, the report said. It is, however, contrary to Pakistan's policy to attend a conference on Afghanistan where there will be no representation from the Taliban.

Earlier this month, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla had said that India is willing to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and it has engaged with the representatives of the Taliban in Doha.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2021, the foreign secretary said, "We are willing to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and we have been a constructive partner in the development of the country, before the Taliban took over, investing over $3 billion."

New Delhi is exploring dates in November for the conference, and this could be India’s way to get a seat at the table to decide the future course of action on Afghanistan.

"When you are not at the table, you are on the menu… this conference is India’s attempt to set the table, be on the table and decide the agenda,” a source told The Indian Express, underlining the need to actively engage with the world to protect India’s security interests.

Image courtesy: AP