New Delhi: It is the assertion of a confident ‘New India’. A Taliban regime that would come to power in war-devastated Afghanistan and its capital Kabul “by violence and force” would not be considered a legitimate dispensation, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar categorically said at an SCO foreign ministers meet at Dushanbe in Tajikistan.
“The world is against seizure of power by violence and force. It will not legitimise such actions,” Dr Jaishankar told the grouping including Ministers from Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi and China Wang Yi among others.
Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan also attended. Dr Jaishankar emphasised that it ought to be ensured that “neighbours are not threatened by terrorism, separatism and extremism”. This is in reference to regional importance and talks in a veiled manner about the role of Pakistan.
“Highlighted that unilateral change of status quo is not acceptable. Full restoration and maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas is essential for the development of our ties. Agreed on convening an early meeting of the Senior Military Commanders,” he tweeted.
This was a meeting of the “Contact group” of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe on Wednesday.
A joint statement was also issued condemning the violence.
“We condemn the violence and terror attacks that continue in Afghanistan, killing civilians and representatives of government bodies and call for their cessation as soon as possible.
We note that the activities of international terrorist organisations remain one of the key factors of instability in that country,” the Joint Statement said. “We urge all parties involved in the conflict in Afghanistan to refrain from the use of force and actions that may lead to destabilisation and unpredictable consequences near the Afghan borders with the SCO states,” the statement said.
Dr Jaishankar in his speech also said that the “future of Afghanistan cannot be its past”. A whole new generation has different expectations, he said adding, “We should not let them down”.
Dr Jaishankar stressed that Peace negotiations in earnest “is the only answer”.
“An acceptable compromise that reflects Doha process, Moscow format and Istanbul process is essential”.
“The challenge is to act seriously and sincerely on these beliefs. Because there are forces at work with a very different agenda,” he said.
It is well known that Pakistan’s intent on issues related to terrorism, violence in Afghanistan and aiding and abetting Taliban is always held in question, and thus Dr Jaishankar’s remarks have significance of their own.
Laying down a roadmap, Dr Jaishankar said, “The world, region and the Afghan people all want the same end state – Firstly, an independent, neutral, unified, peaceful, democratic and prosperous nation (Afghanistan)” where there is no violence and no terrorist attacks against civilians and state representatives.
He said all issues ought to settle conflict through political dialogue and it must be ensured that there is respect to “interests of all ethnic groups”.
The representatives of the SCO countries including Dr Jaishankar will travel on Thursday to Tashkent along with representatives of about 40 countries for a “Central and South Asia” conference. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani are likey to share stage.
Hosted by Uzbekistan President Shovkat Mirziyoyev, the US Special Envoy on Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, is also likely to attend the meet.
Taliban militants have claimed to have taken control of some border check-posts along with Iran, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
On Wednesday, Taliban claimed it had also taken control of the main Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing with Pakistan.
Meanwhile, former US President George W Bush, who in 2001 post 9/11 had decided to wage a war in Afghanistan, on Wednesday criticised the withdrawal of Nato troops from Afghanistan.
“Laura (Bush) and I spent a lot of time with Afghan women, and they’re scared. And I think about all the interpreters and people that helped not only US troops but Nato troops, and it seems like they’re just going to be left behind to be slaughtered by these very brutal people,” Bush told a German broadcaster.
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