The visit has taken place just ahead of extended troika’s meeting in Qatar on the situation related to Afghanistan

Special Envoy of the Foreign Minister of Qatar for Counter-terrorism and Mediation of Conflict Resolution Mutlaq bin Majed Al-Qahtani is on a visit to India.

According to sources, on Thursday, Qahtani met Joint Secretary (PAI) J P Singh and exchanged views on the current situation in Afghanistan and recent developments in the Afghan peace process.

He also called on Sanjay Bhattacharya, Secretary (CPV and OIA) and discussed bilateral affairs.

He will call on Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and EAM S Jaishankar during his visit on Saturday, said sources.

It should be remembered that Qatar will be hosting a meeting of special envoys from Russia, the US, China and Pakistan on August 11.

This meeting has been called by Russia to push intra-Afghan talks to find a political settlement in Afghanistan at a time when the Taliban have launched an offensive against the government forces in the war-torn country.

Qatar will also be hosting another meeting between the Afghan side and regional and international partners this month.

India backs President Ashraf Ghani-led government and is in talks with other stakeholders in Afghanistan. It has consistently opposed the imposition of any regime by force.