The visit, which was closed, came on the same day that Russian NSA Nikolay Patrushev began his visit, also for consultations on Afghanistan. Apparently, Burns will go to Islamabad on Wednesday from here.
Live updates on the crisis in Afghanistan
Burns’ visit highlights growing security concerns for India and the United States, both in the regional and global context, as the Taliban came to power in Kabul. On Tuesday, while the Taliban were flying the flag in the Panjshir Valley, protests erupted in Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif and even Zaranj against the Taliban and what they said was “external interference” from Pakistan. The Taliban government is widely believed to be an agreement established between the various Taliban factions, promoted by Pakistan ISI chief Faiz Hameed, who arrived in Kabul on Monday.
The Taliban government announced Sirajuddin Haqqani, a designated global terrorist, as interior minister. Some of the Taliban leaders are labeled by the UN as terrorists. In fact, India is chairing the UNSC committee that will decide on Taliban sanctions in the coming weeks.
The main concern of India is the increasing infiltration of Pakistani groups in India.