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India on Thursday conveyed its strong concerns about an increase in terrorist violence in Afghanistan to United States Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, and called for the eradication of terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan to ensure peace in the war-torn country, people familiar with events.
The concerns were relayed to the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation during his meetings with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and national security adviser Ajit Doval, the people named above said on condition of anonymity.
“The existence of terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan and their role in terrorist violence in Afghanistan were featured in the meetings,” said one of the people named above, without giving details.
The development came in the context of concerns in New Delhi that India’s view of the Afghan peace process is being rejected by the United States, which apparently focuses solely on implementing its agreement with the Taliban to facilitate withdrawal of American forces.
India has also been concerned about the increased activities of Pakistan-based terror groups, such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, in Afghanistan and attacks on minorities, including the March 25 attack on a Sikh place of worship. In Kabul, it killed nearly 30 people, including an Indian citizen. Indian intelligence agencies believe that the Islamic State, which claimed the attack, attacked the Sikhs after failing to follow through on plans to attack the Indian embassy.
“India is deeply concerned at the increase in violence and supports the call for an immediate ceasefire and [the] they need to help the people of Afghanistan deal with [the] coronavirus pandemic, “the foreign ministry said in a statement about the Khalilzad meetings.
The Indian side “emphasized that ending safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorists is necessary for lasting and sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan,” the statement added, without mentioning Pakistan.
Both Jaishankar and Doval, according to the statement, “reiterated India’s continued support to strengthen peace, security, unity, democratic and inclusive politics and the protection of the rights of all sectors of Afghan society, including Hindus. and the Afghan Sikhs. “
Khalilzad, the first senior foreign dignitary to travel to New Delhi since Covid-19-related travel restrictions took effect, visited India as part of a three-nation tour that will also take him to Qatar and Pakistan.
It provided an update on the United States’ peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. The American side “recognized India’s constructive contribution to economic development, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan” and “attached importance to India’s crucial and continuing role in sustainable peace, security and stability in Afghanistan” , according to the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Indian side also said it will continue to spread food and humanitarian medical supplies to Afghanistan to deal with the pandemic. India recently shipped another 10,000 tons of 75,000 tons of wheat gifted to Afghanistan from the port of Kandla to the port of Chabahar in Iran. The wheat will be transported by road to Afghanistan. Another 5,000 tons of wheat were shipped through Chabahar last month.
Khalilzad was accompanied at his meetings by List Curtis, senior director of the National Security Council, and the United States ambassador, Kenneth Juster. In doha
Khalilzad met with Taliban representatives to press for the full implementation of the agreement between the United States and the Taliban. In Islamabad, he will meet with Pakistani officials to discuss the Afghan peace process.
“At each stop, he will ask for support for an immediate reduction in violence, an accelerated timetable for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations and cooperation between all parties to address the Covid-19 pandemic in Afghanistan,” said a statement issued by States United. state department on Wednesday.
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