President Ashraf Ghani, along with a high level delegation attended two-day Shangai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Ufa city of Russia on Thursday and Friday. The visit was an important one and provided an opportunity to President to meet the heads of states of different regional countries and at the same time ask for their cooperation and support regarding the developments in Afghanistan.
SCO summit was basically founded in 2001 by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan is not a member of SCO but it was given an observer status at the 2012 SCO summit in Beijing on June 6, 2012. Iran, Pakistan, India and Mongolia are also given observer status in the organization.
Speaking at the summit, President Ghani, as expected, stressed on economic cooperation among the regional countries and prioritization of regional security. He suggested that regional states should shift focus to launch big development projects, multiply trade and business and stabilize economic aimed at countering challenges.
While emphasizing on the security in Afghanistan he said that though there are security challenges, Afghan National Security Forces have the required capabilities to face these challenges successfully. He also emphasized that the soil of Afghanistan would not be used against the interest of other countries; and Afghanistan would be the center of regional cooperation not a center for regional rivalry.
There is no doubt in the fact that Afghanistan is going through some very serious challenges regarding growing insecurity nowadays. Taliban insurgents have continued their fighting in month of Ramadan as well and they have been able to gain the control of different districts in different provinces of the country. The northern parts of the country that used to be comparatively peaceful are now the main targets of the insurgents and certain districts in Takhar, Kunduz and Badakhshan have come under their control. In recent weeks, even the capital Kabul has experienced some very threatening attacks even in the most guarded parts of the city.
At the same time, the threats of growing number of Daesh recruits are also alarming. In order to face the dual challenge of fighting both Taliban and Daesh, Afghanistan would definitely require support from the regional countries, in particular. The SCO members can play a positive role in this regard and their dedicated attention regarding the growing insecurity in Afghanistan is of immense importance. Both Russia and China have accepted the fact that the growth of Daesh in Afghanistan can be a regional threat, and they have also emphasized on a strategy to combat this threat. If this emphasis is turned into practical steps, it would immensely support in disheartening Daesh’s growth in Afghanistan.
In similar fashion, to control the threat of Taliban and to support Afghanistan in making peace talks successful with them, the worth of regional countries cannot be denied. Afghanistan, to a large extent, has relied on the role of Pakistan in this regard. President Ghani since the beginning of his government has strived for improved relations with Pakistan and emphasized on its role in holding peace talks with Taliban. Pakistan on the other hand has shown willingness in this regard as well. Few days earlier, the first formal talks between the representatives of Afghan government and Taliban took place in Murree, Pakistan by the support of Pakistan government.
President Ghani in SCO summit met Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and appreciated the upward trajectory of the Af-Pak relations. The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the progress made in the July 7 talks held to promote peace and reconciliation process. Both of them exchanged views on how to carry forward the peace process. They also exchanged views on the efforts being made by the respective sides to counter terrorism and extremism. Ghani appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and its role in facilitating peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan, expressing hope that these efforts would lead to lasting peace and stability in the country.
President Ghani also managed to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since, the inclination of Afghan government towards the Pakistan side, the relations between Afghanistan and India do not seem very comfortable. It is important that President Ghani must ensure balance in maintaining the relations with both Pakistan and India as India has been an important friend of Afghanistan.
Among the other leaders whom the President met were Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Russain President Vladmir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. He discussed with them that the threats in region have increased and to counter them it is important to seek collective action.
It is really imperative for the regional countries to see the problem of insecurity in Afghanistan and Pakistan as a collective issue and must cooperate so that the issue is addressed properly and on time. They seem to realize that they require acting collectively to face this threat but it is important that they must be able to put in practice comprehensive strategy to tackle the situation. Words and promises alone have never and would never solve the issue of terrorism and insurgency. Practical solutions are the only way out of the quagmire that can swallow the whole region in no time.