Countering terror financing should be priority: NSA Doval

Flagging the persistence of terrorist networks in Central Asia including in Afghanistan National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval on Tuesday emphasised on making countering of terror financing a priority for India and other countries in the regionAddressing the inaugural meeting of National Security AdvisersSecretaries of Security Councils with his counterparts from from Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Doval said Afghanistan is an important issue concerning us allIndias concerns and objectives and immediate priority and the way forward are similar to many of those around the table Doval saidTurkmenistan was represented by its ambassador to IndiaAlso read Mathura on high alert after ABHM calls for recital of Hanuman ChalisaUnderlining that a peaceful secure and prosperous Central Asia is in the common interest Doval Tuesday raised concerns about the presence of terrorist networks in AfghanistanPersistence of terrorist networks in the region including in Afghanistan is also a matter of deep concern Financing is the lifeblood of terrorism and countering terrorism should be an equal priority for all of us he addedHe also asked central Asian countries to call on all UN members to fulfill obligations enshrined in relevant counterterror conventions and refrain from providing support to entities involved in terror attacksGiving the highest priority to the region NSA Doval noted that Central Asia is Indias extended neighbourhood with civilizational linkages to the countryThe first oneday NSA level meet today follows the first summit in January 2022 between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the presidents of Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Turkmenistan and UzbekistanNSA Doval said that IndiaCentral Asia Summit held in January this year formed the basis of todays meeting Doval said this meeting comes at a time of great churn in international relations and uncertainty about the futureTodays meeting assumes importance as it provides us an opportunity to discuss matters which require greater cooperation and coordination amongst the regional countries he addedDoval also noted that connectivity with Central Asian countries remains a key priority for IndiaWe stand ready to cooperate invest and build connectivity in the region While expanding connectivity it is important to ensure that the initiatives are consultative transparent and participatory he addedThis first IndiaCentral Asia coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Central Asian countriesDuring the Summit Prime Minister Modi and the Central Asian Leaders discussed the next steps in taking IndiaCentral Asia relations to new heights During the summit the leaders had agreed to institutionalize the Summit mechanism by deciding to hold it every two yearsThey also agreed on regular meetings of Foreign Ministers Trade Ministers Culture Ministers and Secretaries of the Security Council to prepare the groundwork for the Summit meetings An IndiaCentral Asia Secretariat in New Delhi would be set up to support the new mechanismThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever