Volatile situation in Afghanistan the focus of MEA's talks in Russia

India faces a volatile situation in Afghanistan. The withdrawal of the NATO forces has imperilled its stakes in that country. India stuck to its policy of an Afghan-owned, Afghan-led, and Afghan-controlled peace process, while other countries were engaging directly with the Taliban. Its options were also curtailed by the influence of Rawalpindi on the Taliban. Russia, China, Pakistan, Turkey and Iran are talking to various stakeholders following the withdrawal of the US forces. New Delhi's interests converge with Tehran and Moscow on Afghanistan. "Therefore, it is not surprising that external affairs minister Jaishankar is pro-actively engaging with these two states….