MEA Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran) Gopal Baglay, who is likely to replace Vikas Swarup as XP spokesman (as reported first by Indianmandarins), will lead the Indian delegation to a February 15 conference on Afghanistan organized by Russia and in Russia. Although it's a trilateral Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan initiative, during his recent visit to Russia, Moscow asked NSA Ajit Doval to ensure that India is not left out of the loop and must send its delegation. Clearly, Russia and Afghanistan don't want to put all their eggs in the Pakistan-China axis. To balance this axis, Moscow is leaning on its old and trusted friend, even as it has made it clear to Washington not to draw down its troops from Afghanistan till the situation turns absolutely normal.
Bagley to lead Indian delegation to Russia
By IndianMandarins - 2017-02-10 10:10:00
MEA Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran) Gopal Baglay, who is likely to replace Vikas Swarup as XP spokesman (as reported first by Indianmandarins), will lead the Indian delegation to a February 15 conference on Afghanistan organized by Russia and in Russia. Although it's a trilateral Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan initiative, during his recent visit to Russia, Moscow asked NSA Ajit Doval to ensure that India is not left out of the loop and must send its delegation. Clearly, Russia and Afghanistan don't want to put all their eggs in the Pakistan-China axis. To balance this axis, Moscow is leaning on its old and trusted friend, even as it has made it clear to Washington not to draw down its troops from Afghanistan till the situation turns absolutely normal.
