India is expected to hold a National Security Advisors (NSA) level meeting of the regional countries on Afghanistan where the security situation remains volatile following the Taliban takeover in August. Pakistan and other countries have been invited to the meet, Indian media reports said. 

The meet, if it happens, will be the first such diplomatic initiative from New Delhi on Afghanistan. The meeting, proposed to be held in November, is expected to be attended by key stakeholders in the region, including China, Russia, and Pakistan.

The Taliban, which seized power in Afghanistan, on 15 August, has been struggling to get legitimacy for their government while humanitarian conditions getting worse with each passing day. Some reports suggested the meet will focus on humanitarian assistance with India having invested over $ 3 billion in development initiatives in the country.  

Meanwhile, Russia is also hosting a meeting on Afghanistan on Wednesday which will see participation from regional countries, including India. The Taliban has agreed to take part in the Russia-led initiative. 

On Tuesday, Moscow will host a separate meeting of the representatives of Pakistan, China and Iran on the Afghanistan issue.  

The regional countries are apparently worried about the reappearance of the Islamic State Khorasan Provice (ISKP) --the group responsible for recent deadly attacks on Shia mosques in Afghanistan. The ISKP is seen as a threat to the security of the Central Asian countries and others in the region.

The ISKP has mounted over three dozen attacks--including two suicide bombings targeting Shia mosques-- seen as seeking to undermine Taliban control of Afghanistan.  And the fallout of the crisis will not just remain within the borders of Afghanistan. 

(SAM)