Afghanistan will be a ‘pariah state’ if Taliban takes control by force: Blinken

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India and the US on Wednesday agreed that Afghanistan would be a “pariah state” if the Taliban took control by force and advised Taliban to work towards a politically negotiated settlement.

The current Afghan situation and state of negotiations between Taliban and Kabul amid the group’s surge that has made Afghans and most neighbours apprehensive, figured prominently when visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met his hosts and Indian counterpart S Jaishankar. The issue is also understood to have figured when Blinken met NSA AK Doval.

Following the talks, both Blinken and Jaishankar agreed that there are more convergences between India and the US on the Afghan situation than divergences.

“No military solution to the (Afghanistan) conflict. Requires Taliban and Afghan government to come to the table. Future government has to be inclusive and fully representative. Afghanistan would be ‘pariah state’ if Taliban takes control by force,” Blinken said at the joint press meet with Jaishanakar following their wide-ranging dialogue that also covered Indo-Pacific region, Quad, vaccine diplomacy and climate change issues.

Blinken said the Taliban is making advances in district centres and there are reports of them committing atrocities in Afghanistan. “It’s deeply troubling and it certainly doesn’t speak well about their intention for the country.”

Putting all speculations to rest about the US’s future role in Afghanistan, Blinken noted, “Even as we withdraw our forces from Afghanistan, we remain engaged in Afghanistan. We have not only a strong embassy there but also have important programmes that support the country economically through development and security assistance.”

Referring to his discussions on Afghanistan with Jaishankar, the US Secretary of State said, “We discussed regional security issues, including Afghanistan. India and US share strong interest in (having a) peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan. As a credible partner in the region, India has and will continue to make vital contribution to Afghanistan’s stability and development.”

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