India, China and Russia on Thursday held trilateral consultations to coordinate their views on the situation in Afghanistan, amid heightened regional diplomacy in the lead-up to the withdrawal of NATO forces.
Deputy National Security Adviser Nehchal Sandhu met with Chinese and Russian Foreign Ministry officials here on Thursday, following informal talks on Wednesday.
Officials said the three countries exchanged views on the situation in the country and agreed that “security in Afghanistan is important to the country and the region.” They also reiterated their support “for a strong, united, stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan” and agreed to hold further talks.
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The three countries held similar consultations on the issue last year when they met in Moscow for trilateral talks.
China also initiated a similar three-way consultation mechanism, involving Russia and Pakistan, highlighting Beijing attempt at a careful balancing act — and the sensitive regional dynamics — in the face of often competing interests of India and Pakistan.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei told reporters China was “ready to work together with all relevant parties to take part in the peaceful reconstruction and reconciliation in Afghanistan, so as to jointly maintain peace and stability.”
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“We hold the meeting with relevant parties,” he said, “with the purpose of jointly maintaining regional peace and stability.”