Afghanistan has to be free from malign influences: India on Pakistan

Thursday, 29 July 2021Newsdesk

Describing the atrocities being committed by the Taliban in their advance across Afghanistan as “deeply troubling”, visiting US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said Wednesday that this does not speak well of Taliban “intentions” and “taking over power by force” cannot be a path to international recognition.

New Delhi, 29 July 2021

As per news report of The Indian Express, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who was listening when Blinken made these remarks, spelt out India’s redlines: that the outcome in Afghanistan should not be “decided by force on the battlefield”; that there is “broad and deep consensus” on a negotiation that leads to peace and cessation of violence; and that there should be a political settlement. Jaishankar said the independence and sovereignty of Afghanistan can only be ensured “if it is free from malign influences” — a reference to Pakistan’s involvement.

Source -indianexpress.com