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Russian, Indian top security brass agree to coordinate approaches to work on Afghanistan

According to the statement, "the parties discussed the prospects for Russian-Indian cooperation in creating conditions for the launch of a peace process based on intra-Afghan dialogue"

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and National Security Advisor for the Indian Prime Minister Ajit Doval have agreed to coordinate the two countries’ approaches to efforts related to Afghanistan, the Russian Security Council said in a statement following consultations between Patrushev and Doval in New Delhi.

"The parties discussed the prospects for Russian-Indian cooperation in creating conditions for the launch of a peace process based on intra-Afghan dialogue. Besides, they agreed to coordinate approaches to efforts related to Afghanistan on multilateral platforms," the statement reads.

The consultations also involved a number of Russian and Indian government officials. The parties considered ways to boost security cooperation with a focus on the fight against terrorism, illegal migration and drug trafficking, as well as cooperation between intelligence agencies and defense ministries.

After the United States announced plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban (outlawed in Russia) embarked on a large-scale operation to seize control of the country. On August 15, Taliban fighters swept into Kabul without encountering any resistance and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani stepped down and fled the country.

On Tuesday, Spokesman for the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia) Zabihullah Mujahid announced a new Afghan government consisting only of Taliban members, the majority of whom are ethnic Pashtuns. Mohammad Hassan Akhund, who heads the Taliban’s leadership body Rehbari Shura, will head the cabinet. Meanwhile, the Taliban have pointed out that the current government is an interim one.