Situation in Afghanistan: CIA director, Russian National Security Advisor holding discussions with Indian counterpart

CIA Director William Burns had a meeting with India's National Security Adviser Ajit K Doval in New Delhi on Tuesday, while Russia's National Security Advisor Nikolay Patrushev arrived in India's national capital for "high-level" discussions on the evolving situation in Afghanistan.

There is no official word on what transpired between Burns and Doval, but it is understood the developments in Afghanistan and their security implications were high on the agenda of the talks, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

Patrushev is expected to meet Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the External Affairs Ministry. He will also hold discussions with Ajit Doval.

The ministry said Patrushev's visit for "High-Level India-Russia Inter-Governmental Consultations on Afghanistan from 7-8 September 2021" follows an invitation from Doval.

The MEA said the consultations involving the Russian National Security Advisor "are a follow-up to the telephone conversation" between Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 24 when the two leaders had expressed that "it was important for the two strategic partners to work together, and instructed their senior officials to remain in touch on Afghanistan."

India and Russia will take part in two important virtual summits over the next 10 days -- BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and Russia-China-led security grouping Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) where Afghanistan is expected to be top of the agenda. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also likely to attend both summits. Russia and China have emerged as key players in Afghanistan.