CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The Moscow format - one of the several dialogue platforms on Afghanistan - which began before the Taliban takeover of Kabul, consists of Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and India.

Detailed explanation-2: -Pakistan, historically an Indian rival sandwiched geographically between India and Afghanistan, claims the India’s foreign intelligence agency R&AW is working in cover inside Afghanistan to malign Pakistan and train insurgents to carry out terrorist attacks inside the country, a claim rejected by India.

Detailed explanation-3: -TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND THE ROYAL GOVERNMENT OF AFGHANISTAN [1950] INTSer 3. The Government of India: The Honourable JAWAHARLAL NEHRU, Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs. The two Governments recognise and respect the independence and rights of each other.

Detailed explanation-4: -India and Afghanistan have very ancient historic and cultural ties. Despite all the efforts of Pakistan, relations between two countries at the people-to-people level have remained good, surviving Taliban rule in the 1990s and since August last year. India also has strong stakes and strategic interests in Afghanistan.