In a virtual speech on the Afghan peace negotiations in Doha, Jaishankar said that the peace process should promote human rights and democracy, guarantee the interest of minorities, women and vulnerable sectors, and address violence “effectively” throughout the country.
Giving the gist of his speech in a series of tweets, Jaishankar also reaffirmed India’s long-standing position that the peace process should be “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.”
“The friendship of our peoples is a testament to our history with Afghanistan. No part of Afghanistan is alien to our more than 400 development projects. Confident that this civilizational relationship will continue to grow,” he said.
The friendship of our peoples is a testament to our history with Afghanistan. No part of Afghanistan is intact … https://t.co/bq0DDyMWPn
– Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) 1599896222000
Last month, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani agreed to release 400 Taliban prisoners, paving the way for the start of the long-awaited peace process aimed at ending nearly two decades of conflict in the war-torn country.
India has been a major player in the peace and stability of Afghanistan. It has already invested two billion dollars in relief and reconstruction activities in the country.
India has been supporting a national peace and reconciliation process that is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.
He addressed the conference on Afghan peace negotiations in Doha today. She conveyed that the peace process must: • Be Af… https://t.co/4dtcJCu4Pr
– Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) 1599896221000
India has closely followed the evolution of the political situation after the United States signed a peace agreement with the Taliban in February. The agreement provided for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, effectively closing the curtain on Washington’s 18-year war in the country.
The United States has lost more than 2,400 soldiers in Afghanistan since the end of 2001.
India has also argued that care must be taken to ensure that such a process does not result in any “ungoverned space” where terrorists and their representatives can relocate.
India has called on all sectors of the political spectrum in Afghanistan to work together to fulfill the aspirations of all the people of that country, including those of the minority community, for a prosperous and secure future.
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