External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj discussed the “common regional threat” with her Afghan counterpart, Salahuddin Rabbani, on Monday. The discussion is significant as it comes in the backdrop of an ongoing review of Afghanistan policy by the U.S. government which appears to lean on Pakistan in shaping the future of Afghanistan.
“During the telephone conversation, Minister Rabbani pointed out to the common regional threats, and expressed the hope that a constructive and active cooperation between Afghanistan and India will be effective towards fighting terrorism, ensuring security, peace and sustainable development in the region,” said a statement issued by the Afghan Foreign Ministry.
United States is currently undertaking a strategy review for Afghanistan.
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In a recent media interaction, U.S. Secretary of Defence James Mattis acknowledged that the regional context of the Afghan crisis makes the policy review difficult as it needs to take Pakistan into consideration. The problem of this approach includes bilateral problems that Afghanistan and India have with Pakistan.