MOSCOW (SW): Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concerns over the emerging threat of ISIS, a statement on Karzai’s official social media site said.
The former president is on a 4-day visit of Russia at the invitation OfIgor S. Ivanov, President of Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC). He is expected to speak to the members of the Council.
“Vladimir Putin praised the efforts made during the past 13 years to enhance ties between the two countries”, the statement added. Karzai praised the warm hospitality and highlighted that “Daesh” (ISIS) posed a grave threat not only to Afghanistan but the whole region.
Right now, we are witnessing processes that are of great concern to us, Putin said.
"The Taliban is active and it controls a significant part of Afghanistan’s territory, many border crossing points. But what is even more disturbing is that the so-called Islamic State is getting increasingly active in Afghanistan, consolidating its position there. I believe we are already seeing the Islamic State’s presence in 25 out of the 34 provinces", he added.
Sharing his views about the ISIS with Putin, Karzai said the Islamic State was an entirely different case to Taliban. "They (ISIS) are not in any way associated with Afghanistan; they are not ours, not homegrown. And without a doubt, their upsurge is supported by external forces", Russian President's official website quoted Karzai as saying.
"The fact is, they were not created for Afghanistan – they are using Afghanistan as a launching pad to spread their influence across the region. And Russia and Afghanistan should certainly focus on countering this threat", Karzai suggested.
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