In a vigilant response to questions about Taliban recognition, India said on Friday that the situation was still evolving and that there was no clarity about “any entity” forming the government in Kabul. India, the United States, and other similar democracies agree on the need for the most inclusive and representative government possible in the Kabul circumstances.
Crisis in Afghanistan: live updates
The responses come after the killing of 170 people at Kabul airport on Thursday by bombers, which raised concerns in New Delhi and other world capitals that Afghanistan would become a full-fledged center of terrorism and raise doubts about the Taliban’s control over the events despite condemning explosions.
The incidents could be a setback to Pakistan’s efforts to convince governments to recognize or accept the Taliban, even more so as the alleged ISIS-Khorasan perpetrators have roots in the Pakistani Taliban. Interestingly, ISIS-K is seen to share a deadly rivalry with the Taliban.
The MEA warned against “jumping the gun” on the issue of recognition for the Taliban. “The situation on the ground is uncertain. The main concern is the safety of people. Currently, there is a lack of clarity or no clarity about any entity forming a government in Kabul, ”MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said.
“There have been many stories about who will be represented in the government and whether the government will be inclusive, which is another question, and whether there will be other elements of Afghan politics,” the official added. Central India has focused on the evacuation of citizens stranded in Afghanistan, he said. “We continue to monitor the situation very carefully. It’s an evolving situation, ”he said at a briefing to the media.
We want good ties with India: Taliban leader
The Taliban want to have good ties with all countries, including India, a senior official of the militant group has said, as he promised that the use of Afghan land against no other country would be allowed.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid also said the group, which now rules Afghanistan, considers India an important part of the region. “We wish good ties with all countries, including India, which is an important part of the region. Our desire is for India to develop its policy according to the interests of the Afghan people,” Mujahid told a Pakistani channel .
“We have said before that we will not allow our land to be used against any other country. Our policy is clear, “Mujahid said. He opined that Pakistan and India should sit together to resolve all their outstanding issues as both are neighbors and their interests are united with each other.
(With contributions from agencies)