The performance of Kabul will be evaluated by Pakistan and Russia.
Today, Bilawal is scheduled to meet with Lavrov for discussions on “a range of regional topics.”
ISLAMABAD:
According to official sources, Pakistan and Russia would assess how well the interim Afghan government was doing at upholding its promises to the international community to build an inclusive administration and to deny terrorist organisations a base from which to operate.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, who is presently in Moscow for the first time, will meet with his Russian colleague Sargey Lavrov on Monday (today) and Afghanistan will be one of the main topics on the agenda, according to people acquainted with the development.
At a time when Pakistan is worried about the Afghan Taliban’s inability to manage the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates, who have increased attacks in the nation, Bilawal’s maiden trip to Moscow as foreign minister takes place.
Russia is concerned about the threat that the terrorist organisation Daesh poses to Moscow due to its expanding territory. Russia is particularly concerned about recent Taliban actions in Afghanistan, such as the ban on female education and other steps that increase the possibility of a return to the strict Taliban rule of the late 1990s.
The Russian Foreign Ministry tweeted ahead of the Bilawal-Lavrov meeting that the two top diplomats will speak about the fight against terrorism as well as a number of regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine.
