PM Modi meets Russian NSA Nikolai Patrushev; discuss Afghan crisis, regional stability

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met Russian National Security visor Nikolai Patrushev and discussed important regional developments. two reaffirmed ir intention to strengn coordination in fields of enhancing regional stability, including in Afghanistan. 

According to Russian Embassy, "y spoke about prospects for strengning interaction in multilateral formats, including SCO and BRICS, as well as development of Russian-Indian cooperation in tre and ecomic sphere." During meeting, Secretary Nikolai Patrushev briefed PM Modi on his fruitful exchanges with NSA Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar earlier on Wednesday.

PM Modi also asked Patrushev to convey his thanks to Russian President Vlimir Putin for his constant attention towards Indian-Russia Partnership. "He (PM Modi) also said that he was looking forward to welcoming President Putin in India in near future, for bilateral summit," Prime Minister's office said in a statement.

According to ANI, both sides expressed concerns over recent developments in Afghanistan. re was a convergence on views between PM Modi and Secretary Patrushev on all major issues including need for new Taliban government to here to its promises; presence of terrorist organisations in war-torn country and its threats to Central Asia and India;  flow of arms to terrorist organisations and smuggling across Afghanistan borders.

India-Russia meet: NSA Ajit Doval and Patrushev discuss Afghanistan crisis

Earlier in day, Nikolai Patrushev met NDA Ajit Doval and discussed recent developments in Afghanistan. Both sides also discussed humanitarians and migration crisis in war-ravd country. "In dition, Sides agreed to coordinate approaches of Russia and India in multilateral formats on Afghan settlement," statement said.

On Tuesday, Taliban declared its new government and appointed 33 ministers. Mohamm Hassan has been me Prime Minister with Mullah Barar and Abdul Hanafi his deputies. Mohamm Yaghoub Mojahed, son of Taliban founder Mohamm Omar, has been me Defense minister.

(Inputs from ANI)