October 10, 2021
2 mins read

Taliban, US hold talks after troop withdrawal

The in-person meetings that began in Doha on Saturday are the first since the US forces withdrew from Afghanistan in August…reports Asian Lite News

Senior Taliban officials and US representatives have discussed “opening a new page” in their countries relationship, as they kicked off talks in Qatar, according to Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister, Al Jazeera reported.

The in-person meetings that began in Doha on Saturday are the first since the US forces withdrew from Afghanistan in August, ending a 20-year military presence, and the Taliban’s rise to power.

Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi said the focus of the Afghan delegation was humanitarian aid, as well as the implementation of the agreement the Taliban had signed with Washington last year, which paved the way for the final US withdrawal, the report said.

The minister said the Afghan delegation had asked the US to lift its ban on the reserves of Afghanistan’s central bank. He also said that the US would offer Afghan people vaccines against Covid-19, the report said.

The Taliban delegation will later meet the representatives from the European Union.

A spokesperson of the US State Department said on Friday evening that the talks are not about recognising or legitimising the Taliban as Afghanistan’s leaders, but are a continuation of the pragmatic talks on issues of national interest for the US.

He said the priority is the continued safe departure of Afghans, US citizens and other foreign nationals from Afghanistan, adding that another goal is to urge the Taliban to respect the rights of all Afghans, including women and girls, and form an inclusive government with broad support.

Al Jazeera reported that expectations of a breakthrough in the talks should be “tempered” because there is still quite a “chasm” between what the US wants and what the transitional government in Afghanistan wants.

“The Taliban are describing their delegation as high level, being led by its acting foreign minister,” the report said, adding, “On the US side, there will be diplomats from the state department, members of USAID and from the intelligence department.”

Notably absent is Zalmay Khalilzad, who has been the US’ point person in talks with the Taliban for years, the report said.

ALSO READ: Afghanistan set to become narco-state under Taliban rule

Previous Story

India, Denmark Ink Green Pacts

Next Story

Army chief talks tough ahead of India-China border talks

Latest from -Top News

India Launches Relief Ops in Bhutan

The Royal Government of Bhutan has expressed sincere gratitude to the Indian Army…reports Asian Lite News Amid unprecedented floods caused by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, relentless rainfall has

Jaishankar Hints at Tariff Deal with US

Jaishankar explained that the ongoing trade tensions largely stem from the inability of both sides to reach a common ground on several issues….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on

Rajnath Singh Heads to Australia for Key Defence Talks

The visit comes at a historic moment when India and Australia commemorate five years of establishment of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership…reports Asian Lite News Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Australia from

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with

Reeves urged to break manifesto pledges

Chancellor under pressure as £40bn fiscal gap looms, with critics warning against a “pasty tax” budget of piecemeal revenue raisers…reports Asian Lite News Rachel Reeves is facing growing unease inside Labour’s ranks
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India, US deepen military ties amid China’s threat

Doval’s meeting with Hicks took place on the same day

‘US firms in Bengaluru bolstering US-India economic ties’

Lacina acknowledged the immense contributions of over 650 US companies