Russia and India have pledged closer coordination on Afghanistan and said counterterrorism efforts in the country must be “inclusive and effective,” according to a joint statement issued after the two countries’ 23rd annual summit.
The statement, carried by Russia’s TASS news agency, said both sides expressed satisfaction with ongoing security cooperation, including regular consultations between their national security councils.
“Both sides welcomed close coordination between Russia and India on Afghanistan,” the statement said, adding that the two leaders supported counterterrorism measures targeting international militant groups, including Islamic State and its Khorasan branch.
Moscow and New Delhi also underlined the importance of the Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan and reiterated the need for “immediate and uninterrupted humanitarian assistance” for Afghans.
The Moscow Format was established in 2017 as a six-party consultative mechanism involving Russia, Afghanistan, India, Iran, China and Pakistan, aimed at supporting peace and reconciliation efforts. Its seventh and most recent meeting was held in October 2025.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his visit to New Delhi, told Indian media that Moscow must maintain contact with the Taliban to influence developments in the country. He said the Taliban now “control the situation” and had taken steps against terrorism and narcotics production.
Russia formally recognized the Taliban administration in July 2025 — the only country to do so since the group’s return to power in August 2021 — but senior Russian officials, including its envoy to the United Nations, have continued to voice concern over militant threats emanating from Afghanistan.
