India Conveys to USA Eliminating Terror Sanctuaries in Afghanistan Priority

NEW DELHI: India on Thursday made it clear to US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad that eliminating terror safe havens and terrorists is imperative for peace and stability in the land locked country even as Washington attempts to work out gains of peace deal with Taliban.

This was conveyed when Khalilzad met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA A K Doval. He was accompanied by Senior Director in the US National Security Council, Ms. Lisa Curtis, and the US Ambassador to India Ken Juster. Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla was also present on the occasion.

“India remains engaged in extending humanitarian food and medical supplies to Afghanistan to deal with the situation created by coronavirus. It was emphasised that putting an end to terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries is necessary for enduring and sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan,” according to a statement issued by MEA after the meeting. India is worried with resurgence of Taliban backed by Pakistan as US begins to withdraw from Afghanistan.

Khalilzad, who arrived here from Doha, provided an update on the US peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. “The US side recognised India’s constructive contribution in economic development, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. They laid importance to India’s crucial and continuing role in sustainable peace, security and stability in Afghanistan,” according to a MEA statement.

EAM and NSA reiterated India’s continued support for strengthening peace, security, unity, democratic and inclusive polity and protection of rights of all sections of the Afghan society, including Afghan Hindus and Sikhs.

India conveyed to Khalilzad its concern at the upsurge in violence that had also targeted Gurdwara. It was conveyed that Delhi backs immediate ceasefire and need to assist the people of Afghanistan in dealing with coronavirus pandemic.

From Delhi Khalilzad will also travel to Islamabad, he will meet with Pakistani officials and also discuss the Afghan peace process. At each stop, he will urge support for an immediate reduction in violence, accelerated timeline for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations, and cooperation among all sides in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan.

Source: ET

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