"A forum of regional countries, including India, voiced opposition to any foreign military infrastructure in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's regional neighbours, including India, have voiced a rare unified front by opposing foreign attempts to deploy military infrastructure in the country, as United States President Donald Trump presses to regain control of the Bagram airbase. In a joint statement on Tuesday, members of the Moscow Format of Consultations on Afghanistan which includes rivals India and Pakistan reaffirmed"
"The members called unacceptable the attempts by countries to deploy their military infrastructure in Afghanistan and neighbouring states, since this does not serve the interests of regional peace and stability. Though the statement echoes last year's forum language, it suggests broad regional opposition to Trump's push to return to Bagram, which he handed over to Afghanistan's Taliban five years ago as part of a deal paving the way for the US withdrawal from Kabul."
"In backing the statement, India a longtime US partner navigates fraying ties with Washington and apparent rapprochement with the Taliban, which it long opposed but has in recent years cultivated ties with. In the latest diplomatic outreach, India is set to welcome the Taliban's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for a historic first visit to New Delhi this week, lasting from October 9-16. After attending the Moscow forum, Muttaqi emphasised that Afghanistan will not accept any foreign military presence."
Regional nations within the Moscow Format — including India, Pakistan, Russia, China, Iran and Central Asian states — jointly oppose deployment of foreign military infrastructure in Afghanistan. The members called such attempts unacceptable because they do not serve regional peace and stability. The statement indicates broad opposition to a potential US return to Bagram airbase after President Trump sought to regain control. India balanced longstanding US partnership with growing outreach to the Taliban, hosting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for a visit. Afghan representatives reiterated that Afghanistan will not accept foreign military presence and vowed to keep the country free and independent.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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