Calls for a negotiated political settlement in Afghanistan says there cannot be a takeover of the war-torn country by use of force, reports Asian Lite News
Replying to questions of the members in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday said that there must be a negotiated political settlement in Afghanistan and there cannot be a takeover of the war-torn country by use of force.
Replying to a supplementary question asked by Swapan Dasgupta on China talking to Taliban, Jaishankar said, “There cannot be a military solution, there cannot be a takeover by use of force in Afghanistan. We will work with international community to ensure that political negotiations for a settlement are pursued seriously and we would never accept an outcome which is decided by force.” he said.
He said there is strong convergence between India and the Unites States on this issue.
The Minister said that he had detailed discussion with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on the issue of Afghanistan.
Jaishankar had tweeted on Wednesday, “A wide ranging and productive discussion today with @SecBlinken. Useful in mapping out the next steps in our bilateral partnership. Strong convergence of views on many regional concerns. Agreed to work closely on multilateral and global issues.”
He told the Upper House that India is very clear that there must be a negotiated political settlement in Afghanistan, that there cannot be a military solution, there cannot be a takeover by use of force in Afghanistan, that India will work with the international community to ensure that political negotiations for a settlement are pursued seriously and we would never accept any outcome which is decided by force.
He said, “We (Indian leadership) highlighted that in our approach to global issues were guided by a quest for perfect union but we seek to right historical wrongs. When it comes to freedom, we shouldn’t treat it as non-governance or abdication of responsibilities. Our conversation on this should be balanced.”
Blinken, during his two-day India visit, discussed a range of bilateral and regional issues including Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific and COVID-19 cooperation.
During Blinken’s visit, Jaishankar said he articulated India’s position at a presser that was jointly held with the US Secretary of State. “We were very clear that there must be a negotiated, political settlement in Afghanistan.”
Among other things that Jaishankar and Blinken discussed include Indo-Pacific, India-US cooperation against COVID-19 and Quad. He had further added that the Quad is a collaborative platform essential for mutual interest.
Jaishankar had also asserted that the US and India should work together more closely on key contemporary challenges like terrorism.
“We also discussed Indo-Pacific and Quad as it is in our national interests,” Jaishankar told the Rajya Sabha.
“We look at Quad as a platform where the four countries have come together for the good of the world. We discussed a range of issues including providing of vaccines, education, connectivity, maritime security,” he added.
ALSO READ-Pak proxy Taliban target India
READ MORE-Int’l community will not accept Taliban if atrocities persist: UN envoy
