India, central Asia share concerns on Afghanistan: Government in Lok Sabha

The situation in Afghanistan was a matter of concern for neighbouring countries, including India, and central Asian countries broadly shared the concerns, the government said. India discussed the Afghanistan situation with five central Asian countries during the recent summit and decided to set up a joint working group, minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan said in the Lok Sabha on Friday.

"The issue of Afghanistan was discussed during the summit and the situation...was of natural concern for neighbouring countries like India and central Asian countries... We share same concerns and similar objectives," he said responding to a question from Saugata Roy (AITC) who wanted to know what the broad consensus on Afghanistan at the recent summit, attended by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan, was.

Opposition MPs registered protest and staged a walkout over UP CM Yogi Adityanath's message that voters should not 'make his state like Kerala, J&K and West Bengal' by voting out BJP. After the Speaker rejected the demand for an adjournment motion, members belonging to Congress, Trinamool Congress, Left and some other parties raised the matter during Zero Hour.


Shayam Singh Yadav (BSP) demanded the government must raise an 'Ahir regiment' in the Indian Army in 'honour of exemplary services Yadav Ahir community jawans have rendered in service of the nation'.