New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla has said that the Taliban seem to have indicated that they will be reasonable in the way they handle things when it comes to India's security concerns. "Our engagement with them (Taliban) has been limited. It's not that we have a robust conversation. But for whatever conversations we've had so far, the Taliban seem to indicate that they will be reasonable in the way they handle things," F.S Shringla said in a statement, issued at the end of his three-day official visit to Washington DC.
The statement by Shringla came after Indian envoy to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai in Doha, at the request of the group. Mittal during his meeting conveyed that Afghan soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism. It was the first formal meeting between India and the Taliban leader that came two weeks after the Islamic group seized power in Afghanistan.
Read: Pakistan supported, nurtured Taliban: FS Shringla
The meeting focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit India was also discussed. The Taliban Representative, on the other hand, assured the Ambassador that these issues would be positively addressed.
F.S Shringla further said that America will have a wait and watch policy and that they would need to calibrate their actions, depending on how the situation evolves. "That's also similar to what we conveyed in Parliamentary briefing a few days ago", Harsh V Shringla added commenting on US & India stance on Taliban.
India have a similar policy but that doesn't mean you don't do anything, it means that situation is very fluid on the ground, you've to allow it to see how it evolves. You've to see whether assurances that have been made public are maintained on the ground, Foreign Secretary reiterated.
Read: Indian Foreign Secy, US Deputy NSA hold talks on Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific region
He underlined that the US is watching very carefully. They're very focused now that they're not there. They're looking at how things are shaping up. "I can't say whether there's any perceptible difference but, like us, they're watching carefully," Foreign Secy told media persons on US stance towards Pakistan or Afghanistan.
After U.S troops exited Afghanistan, uncertainty and fear have gripped Kabul with the reality that the Taliban have returned to Afghanistan after 20 years of war. The people especially women are staring at an ‘uncertain future’. Many are concerned that their rights to work and education will be snatched by the Taliban and they are urging for an assurance. Many are scared of persecution and punishment for supporting foreign forces.
