The Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan has recently released a joint statement that has categorically demanded the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to take immediate and verifiable actions with a view toward meeting existing obligations under international law.

And as part of the said responsibilities, it has called upon Afghanistan to eliminate terrorist groups within the country. The consulted states, including several regional players, stressed the need for the Afghan Interim Government (AIG) to avoid any use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities against neighboring countries and other states of the region.

This call for action is not just a suggestion, it is a necessity which Afghan government needs to pay attention to in order to find ways how to better stabilize internal situation and improve it foreign policy internationally.

These countries have kept reasonable politico-security relations with the Taliban, though, their patience is wearing thin due to heightened security threats.

This joint statement is somewhat new phase of the international discussion on the status of Afghanistan. It has a representative support of Russia, Iran, China, and Central Asian States, which have become the direct victims of evolving terror threats emanating from Afghanistan. These countries have kept reasonable politico-security relations with the Taliban, though, their patience is wearing thin due to heightened security threats. Yet, these nations are not shy in demanding that the AIG must take practical actions to dismantle the networks of terrorists at home.

Such advices given by the Moscow Format to the AIG makes a lot of valid timing sense. The AIG, under the custody of the Taliban, has to understand that their failure to adhere to these consultations mean deeper isolation of Afghanistan from the global community.

Afghanistan is reeling through tough economic and social crisis and the lack of attention to demands of the regional powers might shut the doors to cooperation in terms of economic development, diplomacy and assistance. For the Taliban to grasp, the current state of affairs whereby terrorist organizations can have a foothold in Afghanistan is not just security perilous for the entire adjoining region but is inimical to Afghanistan’s growth as well.

Among the issues that currently exist in Afghanistan, there is a problem of appearance of different terrorist groups which include ISIS-K in particular; this group has already done several catastrophic attacks not only in Afghanistan but also in other countries.

The Taliban though have control over most of the country, they are unable to rein in these groups primarily. Other international players, especially Russia, Iran and China see these actors as posing a direct security threat to the region’s stability. For example, the situation in Afghanistan is already causing repercussions in Central Asia: governments of the region are more and more concerned with the infiltration of militants across the borders.

Other international players, especially Russia, Iran and China see these actors as posing a direct security threat to the region’s stability.

At the same time, the Taliban must also respond to its internal problems related to policy, governance, and human rights issues with individual freedoms of the Afghan people and the rights of women and girls, especially the right to education. Taliban that came to power since then have actively restricted women’s rights and freedoms, closed schools to women and limited the activity of women in other spheres under the pretext of religion. These actions have received aggressiveness from other countries and the international world, including Muslim dominated countries asserting to the Taliban, to embrace progressive policies.

In the best interest of the nation of Afghanistan, the AIG needs to ensure that terrorist organizations push their agenda further and make the country a terror central again. The memory of Afghanistan used as a base for the September 11 terrorist attacks has not yet faded from the international political memory.

The international community, especially other world regions, does not want Afghanistan to return to a situation where terrorist groups can act without restraint. The AIG needs to go on the offense and ensure these groups are suppressed; this is to show the world and its willingness to foster peace and security to its people as well as to neighboring states.

Similar to many other countries around, Pakistan, as one of the important actors in the region and an old friend of Afghanistan, has called on the AIG to respect the international practices and aim at achieving the necessary peace and cooperation in the South Asian region. Therefore, stability in Afghanistan is in Pakistan best interest since insecurity and terrorism in Afghanistan always affects the Pakistani territory.

Also read: TTP: An Emerging Global Terror Threat

Islamabad wants the AIG to follow international laws and norms because the stability of Afghanistan is crucial in the region. Therefore, Afghanistan has the honor and duty to respect all its obligations and cooperate with other countries so that the foundation for increased diplomatic activity and economic improvement that is essential for the country’s stability can be laid.

The declaration was made after consultation with regional powers and it is clear for the Afghanistan government that the world is waiting for action to eradicate terrorism.

The AIG should also ensure its behaviors respect its international obligations. Afghanistan cannot afford to be a producer of insecurity and conflict because it will hurt the neighbors and will slow down the development process in Afghanistan as well. The country is still dealing with the effects of a long period of civil war and with such prevailing insecurity the country will definitely be worse off. For this reason, Afghanistan’s leaders must understand the role of investment in the support of peace Rather than contributing to insecurity that poses a great threat to not only relations but also economic advancement.

Summing up, one can define the enhancement of the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan as a defining process for the AIG. The declaration was made after consultation with regional powers and it is clear for the Afghanistan government that the world is waiting for action to eradicate terrorism.

This government led by the Taliban has to seize this opportunity to show to the regional and international community that Afghanistan is safe for investment and its resources can complement that of the region. Otherwise, the nation can face a further isolation, economic difficulties, and conscious instability.

Meanwhile, it may be possible to get the international recognition and help, including genuine economic and political support in the light of concerted attempts at internal reactive as well as proactive governance and security. The decision is now on Afghan’s authority, and the effects of their decisions will determine the fate of Afghanistan and the neighborhood in the coming years.