Russian-Led Troika-Plus Included Nine Central Asian Countries
October 21, 2021—Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held an expanded Troika meeting in Moscow yesterday on the future of Afghanistan. It included representatives from the Taliban as well as Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Notably absent were diplomats from the United States, who took part in intra-Afghan Troika meetings in Qatar prior to the Taliban-takeover of the country.
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Facing The Hard Facts
Lavrov focused the meeting on the political stability and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
“Now that the situation on the ground has turned around, it is pointless to look for someone to blame for the failure to achieve tangible results regarding national reconciliation,” Lavrov said. “A new administration is in office now. This hard fact places great responsibility on the Taliban.”
The group issued a joint statement, which included among a larger list the following:
- Encouraging the Taliban to improve governance, practice “moderate and sound” policies, and include all major ethno-political forces.
- Expressions of “deep concern” over the deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation.
- Support for an international donor conference under the auspices of the United Nations.
Terrorism And Drug Trade
Lavrov said part of the challenge is that Afghanistan’s problems are hard to address given that the Taliban government lacks official recognition by the international community. Russia notably stands for respecting national sovereignty.
Meanwhile, terrorism and drug production are likely to thrive under the new Taliban-led government. Lavrov raised those concerns.
“Numerous terrorist groups, primarily ISIS and Al-Qaeda, are trying to take advantage of this state of affairs, and are again rearing their heads and making brazen bloody raids in different parts of the country. Unfortunately, the problem of drug production in Afghanistan remains acute,” Lavror said. “There is a real threat of the terrorist and drug activity, including on behalf of those who masquerade as members of migration flows, leaking into neighboring countries. In this context and for obvious reasons we are particularly concerned about Central Asia.”
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