A day after India’s Ambassador in Qatar Deepak Mittal met a Taliban spokesperson, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has questioned the Indian government’s stand on the organisation.
He said, “Either Taliban is a terror organization or not, please clarify to us how you see them. If they’re a terror group why’re you talking to them? If not then will you (Centre) move to United Nations & have it delisted as a terror organisation? Make up your mind.”
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The Taliban on Tuesday reached out to India, seeking a meeting. The meeting between Mittal and Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Head of Taliban’s Political Office took place at the Indian embassy in Doha. The two discussed issues of safety, security, return of Indians from Afghanistan and permission for Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit India.
The meeting was preceded by positive statements from Stanekzai, who has received his military training in India. He said India is “very important for this subcontinent” and his group wants to continue Afghanistan’s “cultural”, “economic”, “political” and “trade ties’ ‘ with India. After their takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban spokespersons Suhail Shaheen and Zabiullah Mujahid have also spoken on relations with India.
The Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, weeks before the US troops completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan. The US troops left the country after 20 years of war on Tuesday. Ever since the process of withdrawal started, the Taliban became active in Afghanistan and it eventually led to the fall of Afghan government. Former President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on August 15. Thousands of Afghans are also trying to flee the country.
India evacuated more than 500 people from Afghanistan, which included more than 200 Indian citizens. Three swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib were also brought to Delhi last week.