INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The proposal to establish a regional contact group on Afghanistan has hit a roadblock due to Pakistan&s objection to India&s participation,
the Express Tribune reported on Saturday.The initiative for a regional contact group stemmed from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres&s
proposal in February, following a two-day conference in Doha aimed at charting a roadmap for Afghanistan&s future.This group was envisioned
to include Afghanistan&s immediate neighbors and other relevant stakeholders
However, Pakistan&s objection to India&s participation in the proposed regional group has led to a deadlock, the Express Tribune reported
citing diplomatic sources.Historically, Pakistan and India have viewed each other&s roles in Afghanistan with suspicion
Islamabad&s resistance to New Delhi&s inclusion in the regional contact group stems from its longstanding concerns that India undermines
stability in Afghanistan.While Pakistan&s relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) remain strained, India has intensified its
engagement with Kabul in recent months, according to the newspaper.The proposal to establish a regional group was part of broader UN efforts
to enhance coordination in dealing with the IEA-led government
A UN delegation is scheduled to visit Kabul soon as a follow-up to the Doha conference, aiming to urge the IEA government to fulfill its
international commitments.The upcoming UN delegation&s visit seeks to convey to the IEA government the adverse consequences of its hardline
stance, the Express Tribune reported.The post Contact group on Afghanistan hits roadblock over Pakistan&s gripe with India first appeared on
