Situation in Afghanistan remains tense: Putin

KABUL (Khaama Press): Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a virtual summit that Afghanistan’s volatile situation remains the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s top concern.
“Traditionally, the situation in Afghanistan is the focus of the SCO attention. Moreover, our colleagues have just talked about it. The situation, which, unfortunately, is not becoming any less tense,” Putin said.
Putin also said that the SCO’s top priority should continue to be fighting terrorism, fighting extremism and religious radicalism, stopping drug trafficking and other forms of smuggling, and fighting bandit formations.
“I would like to recall the Russian proposal to transform the SCO’s regional anti-terrorist organization into a multi-purpose centre that would respond to the entire range of security threats,” Putin said, Tass reported.
The virtual Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held virtually on Tuesday, in which several leaders, including Xi Jinping, Putin, Shehbaz Sharif and the Prime minister of India, joined the meeting.
The Summit was presided by Prime Minister Modi, and he said that the organization should work together to combat terrorism and not hesitate to condemn countries that support terror.
Meanwhile, the Indian Prime Minister urged the Eurasian political and security alliance to support Kabul with humanitarian aid and strive for the country’s welfare.
The organization comprises eight countries: India, Pakistan, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.