Presenting India's view on the evolving situation in Afghanistan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers Contact Group meeting at Dushanbe Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Kabul's “future cannot be its past.”
In the backdrop of Taliban claiming to have control over 85 per cent of Afghanistan's territory, as the US looked to complete withdrawal of its troops from the country by August 31, Jaishankar said the world is against seizure of power by violence and force, adding that such actions are not legitimate.
The EAM further pressed for peace negotiations, asserting that this was the only answer to the situation. “An acceptable compromise that reflects Doha process, Moscow format and Istanbul process is essential,” he said.
The Doha process, Moscow format and Istanbul process are separate frameworks for dialogue to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan.
He also emphasised the need for ensuring that Kabul's neighbours are not “threatened by terrorism, separatism and extremism”.
During the meeting, Jaishankar said the world, the region and the Afghan people all want an “independent, neutral, unified, peaceful, democratic and prosperous nation”. “We should not let them down,” he added.
Presented the Indian view at the SCO FM Contact Group meeting on Afghanistan at Dushanbe today. pic.twitter.com/Zp89bpYWTF
— Dr. S. Jaishankar…
