NEW DELHI: As the United States and the Taliban signed a deal on Saturday that will end America’s longest war and lead to the pullout of all its troops from Afghanistan, India braced for new challenges even as New Delhi hinted that it would not do business with the Taliban should the deal lead to its return.
At the conclusion of Indian Foreign Secretary H S Shringla’s two-day visit to Afghanistan, while the accord was being signed in Doha, Qatar, India “underscored that sustainable peace in Afghanistan requires an end to externally-sponsored terrorism.”
It is widely accepted that the Taliban’s terror activities are aided and abetted by Pakistan. “In his meetings with the Afghan leadership, the Foreign Secretary reiterated India’s commitment to enhanced political, economic and development partnership between the two neighbours and strategic partners,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a release.
In a veiled attack on the US and the Taliban while also indicating support to the democratically elected government in Kabul, India said Shringla conveyed New Delhi’s “support for enduring and inclusive peace and reconciliation which is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.”
“The reference to ending externally- sponsored terrorism is an indication that New Delhi wants Kabul to act to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and wants Afghanistan to make sure that its soil is not used as a hotbed for terrorists in the wake of the US-Taliban deal,” said Ajit Singh of the Institute of Conflict Management.
The Doha deal, in which India was among 30 countries that participated as observers, could lead to the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan where New Delhi has invested heavily, financially and diplomatically.
India’s stand MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India will continue to extend all support to Afghanistan as a contiguous neighbour, in a clear reference that the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir belongs to India.