India joined Russia, China, and seven other countries to oppose any attempt to set up foreign military infrastructure in Afghanistan. This stance comes after US President Donald Trump renewed his request for the Taliban to hand over the strategic Bagram airbase to the United States. 

The issue was discussed in detail during the latest edition of the “Moscow Format” talks, which bring together representatives from several regional powers to discuss ways to promote stability, development, and prosperity in Afghanistan. The participating countries described any attempts to deploy foreign military bases in Afghanistan or neighboring nations as “unacceptable,” saying such moves do not support regional peace and stability.

For the first time, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi attended the Moscow Format talks, marking an important step in the Taliban’s engagement with regional countries. A few weeks earlier, President Trump had asked the Taliban to return the Bagram airbase, which was originally established by the US. 

During the Moscow talks, the countries also emphasized the need to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels. They stressed that Afghanistan should take comprehensive steps to eliminate terrorism quickly so that Afghan soil is not used to threaten the security of neighboring countries or the wider region. The statement highlighted that terrorism remains a serious threat to Afghanistan, the region, and global security.

Apart from India, Russia, and China, the meeting was attended by Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The countries also stressed the importance of strengthening Afghanistan’s economic ties with its neighbors and beyond, supporting Afghanistan’s active integration into regional connectivity projects.

Who represented India

The Indian delegation, led by Ambassador Vinay Kumar, reiterated India’s support for an independent, peaceful, and stable Afghanistan. Kumar emphasized the importance of Afghanistan’s socioeconomic development and prosperity, stating that a secure Afghanistan will benefit the Afghan people and contribute to regional and global security.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that the situation in the region is “complicated” but acknowledged progress in Afghanistan, especially in the fight against terrorism. He also mentioned that the UN has recorded a significant reduction in areas used for growing narcotic plants. Lavrov said Russia is ready to provide full support to Afghanistan in fighting terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crime, aiming to ensure a peaceful life for the Afghan people.