They met a day before India hosts the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met Secretary of the Security Council of Uzbekistan Victor Makhmudov and both exchanged their perspective on Afghanistan.

“Glad to receive Victor Makhmudov, Secretary of the Security Council of Uzbekistan. Appreciated the exchange of perspectives on Afghanistan. Noted the progress in our bilateral ties, EAM Jaishankar tweeted.

Both China and its ally Pakistan have declined to attend the NSA-level meet on Afghanistan.

Yet the Dialogue on Afghanistan will witness an expanded participation of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, who will all be represented by their respective National Security Advisers or Secretaries of the Security Councils.

At the Dialogue, the security situation in the region arising from recent developments in Afghanistan will be reviewed. The participants 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.