NEW DELHI: Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation, who is on a five-day visit to India on Saturday, said his discussion with top Indian leaders was around “peace“process and said Afghanistan did not ask direct engagement of India to confront the Taliban. He also said that there are different countries that play various roles in Afghanistan and that the role of India will also be appreciated.
“The topic of discussion was peace in what was happening in the negotiations and what different countries can do. India as important country, which has helped Afghanistan for many years, has a lot at stake in peaceful Afghanistan. The continuation of the war is an adverse impact, “Abdullah said in an exclusive interview with ANI.
He said it depends on the Indian government’s decision to compromise with the Taliban.
“I did not directly ask for a commitment to the Taliban, but at the same time, I encouraged the overall peace process in general. There are different countries that play different roles in Afghanistan. India’s role will also be appreciated,” he said.
When asked if Afghanistan wants India to engage with the Taliban, he said: “It depends on the decision of the Indian government. But as a whole, India supports the peace process, which is important.”
Speaking on the key findings of the interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abdullah said that India wants an Afghanistan-led negotiation and an inclusive deal acceptable to Afghans.
“My conclusion from my interaction with Prime Minister Modi is that India wants an Afghanistan-led negotiation and an inclusive agreement acceptable to Afghans. A unified Afghanistan, which does not host terrorist groups,” he said.
When asked if he discussed India’s military role in Afghanistan, Abdullah said, “No. Absolutely not. I did not raise that idea. The point is, we hope that Afghanistan can stand on its own. As you know, American troops they are the main part. They have withdrawn from Afghanistan. Still, they are present there, but that will not be forever. ”
“It is important for the people of Afghanistan to find a way to live in peace with each other. Then to find an arrangement for the security of the country. Then other countries can help in peace in their own way,” he said.
On Thursday, he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the national security adviser. Ajit doval where he reaffirmed the long-term commitment to further deepen ties between India and Afghanistan.
A day later, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met with Dr. Abdullah and assured him of India’s commitment to peace, prosperity and stability in the neighboring country.
Abdullah’s visit comes at a time when the Afghan government and the Taliban are trying to negotiate an agreement to restore peace in the country. Peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban began on 12 September in the capital of Qatar, Doha.
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