EAM Jaishankar highlights breach of Doha pact by Taliban

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told floor leaders of Parliament that Taliban failed to live up to its commitments in Doha, sources in the government said.

New Delhi:Addressing the all party meeting on India's position on evolving situation Afghanistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told floor leaders of Parliament that Taliban failed to live up to its commitments in Doha, sources in the government said.

What is the Doha Pact?

In February 2020, the Doha agreement for bringing peace in Afghanistan was signed by the United States and the Taliban. The agreement included the withdrawal of all American and NATO troops from Afghanistan, in return for Taliban pledge to stop al-Qaeda from operating in areas under their control, as well as to continue talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

As far as the situation in Afghanistan is concerned, India has decided to remain silent and maintain a 'wait and watch' policy.

The floor meeting was attended by the Union minister and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.

Various political party leaders including Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Congress party in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury attended the meeting

"Briefed the Floor Leaders of all political parties today on Afghanistan.37 leaders from 31 parties attended. Thank them all. There is a longstanding national sentiment on Afghanistan. Therefore, there is national concern now at developments. We are gathered with a national spirit," Jaishankar said in a tweet.

"We have undertaken evacuation operations in extremely difficult conditions especially at the airport. Our immediate concern and task is evacuation and long term interest is the friendship for the Afghan people", the foreign minister said in a tweet.

As many as 800 Indian nationals including the Sikh and the Hindus have been evacuated from Afghanistan so far.