Security chiefs of seven countries, including Russia, Iran and the five Central Asian nations, are participating in the November 10 regional security dialogue being hosted by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, that will see them discuss terrorism within Afghanistan and across its borders, the threat of radicalization and extremism, and cross-border movement of terrorists, among other major issues. Security chiefs of Russia, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are attending the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan, Indian officials stated.

While Pakistan has declined to attend, China cited “scheduling difficulties” for not attending the key event, but said it is open to meeting with India over Afghanistan bilaterally and multilaterally, UNI said quoting official sources. .

This is the third such dialogue, with the first two editions having been hosted by Iran in 2018 and 2019. India attended both the meets. Pakistan did not attend the previous two NSA-level meets too, and had told Tehran that if India is present then it will not attend.

“Pakistan has chosen not to attend the Delhi Security Dialogue, for reasons for them to answer. Either they do not share the security concerns of the other countries or have a different perception of what is going on in Afghanistan,” unidentified sources were quoted by Indian media as saying.

“Pakistan is the only country that has provided facilitation to the Taliban and the Haqqani network and other terror groups in Afghanistan. This fact is well recognized by the other seven countries; that there is a credibility gap between Pakistan’s actions and intentions. Their actions do not match their words,” the sources reportedly said.

Terrorism within Afghanistan and spillover across its borders, the threat of radicalization and extremism, the cross-border movement of terrorists, drug production and trafficking, and the vast quantity of military weapons left behind by the US-led forces when they quit Afghanistan, are expected to be discussed at the NSA meet.

The security czars of the seven countries will make a joint call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the end of the meeting.

To a question if any representative from the Taliban regime had been called, the source was quoted as saying: “None of the participating countries, including India, have recognized or legitimized the Taliban regime in Kabul. Many of the countries said that it is not on their agenda. None of the countries asked to call a Taliban representative for the meet”.

An official statement said that the high level dialogue will review the security situation in the region arising from recent developments in Afghanistan. It will deliberate upon measures to address the relevant security challenges and support the people of Afghanistan in promoting peace, security and stability.

"India has traditionally enjoyed close and friendly ties with the people of Afghanistan and has called for a unified international response to address the security and humanitarian challenges facing Afghanistan. The forthcoming meeting is a step in that direction," it said.

The attendees would include Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani¸ Secretary, Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Karim Massimov, Chairman of National Security Committee of Kazakhstan, Marat Mukanovich Imankulov, Secretary of the Security Council of Kyrgyz Republic, Nikolai P. Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Nasrullo Rahmatjon Mahmudzoda, Secretary, Security Council of Tajikistan, Charymyrat Kakalyyevvich Amavov, Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan on Security & Secretary, State Security Council and Victor Makhmudov, Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (SAM).