India's Membership In Quadrilateral Group On Afghanistan Is "Right", Says Russian FM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for India to join the Quartet with China, Pakistan and Iran on the issue of Afghanistan.

He stressed that for Moscow, Beijing, Islamabad and Tehran, interacting with India on Afghanistan is the "right thing to do".

On Tuesday, January 14, the Russian Foreign Ministry posted a video of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with reporters on social media.

At the meeting, Sergey Lavrov stressed on the importance of India's participation in the talks on Afghanistan through the quadrilateral meetings of Moscow, Beijing, Islamabad and Tehran.

Russia, China, Pakistan and Iran held their third meeting on Afghanistan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in October last year.

The foreign ministers of these countries compared their approaches to resolving Afghanistan's issues. India has also previously participated in processes related to Afghanistan within the framework of the "Moscow Format".

The Russian foreign minister's remarks come a week after Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Vikram Misri met with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's foreign minister, in Dubai. During the meeting, India expressed its readiness to respond to Afghanistan's immediate needs.

Sergey Lavrov also called on India and Pakistan to hold talks to resolve their concerns.

Regarding the relations between the two countries, he said, "They can ask each other uncomfortable questions and seek answers. We will also help and try to strengthen cooperation, as this is beneficial for the region."