Relations with ‘Afghan people’ continues & this guides Indian policy, says Jaishankar

                                                                                                                                                                       Nirendra Dev

India's External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, has been playing a key role in the evacuation process of Indians from Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover.

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said on Thursday (August 19) that for India, the 'historical relationship' with Afghan people has always been important, and that relationship with the 'Afghan people obviously continues'.

"I think that relationship with the Afghan people obviously continues and that will guide our approach in Afghanistan in the coming days," the Minister told journalists in the UN.

Dr Jaishankar was specifically asked during a brief media interaction in New York on whether New Delhi would have any working relationship with a Taliban regime or Taliban-backed regime in Afghanistan as India

has over the last 20 years made heavy 'investment' in Afghanistan.

"Look, first of all, you (the journalist) used the word investment. For us, it reflected what was the historical relationship with the Afghan people. I think that relationship with the Afghan people obviously continues and that will guide our approach in Afghanistan in the coming days," the Minister said.  

To another specific question on whether India had any communication with the Taliban in recent times, he said: "At this point of time, we are looking at the evolving situation in Kabul. Obviously, the Taliban and its representatives have come to Kabul, I think, we have to take it on from there."

He also said, "these are early days" to answer or take calls on certain questions more specifically. "Our focus right now is to ensure safety and security of Indian nationals over there."

Asked whether some elements in Pakistan could disturb or influence things in Afghanistan, he was again categorical: "At the moment, like everybody else, we are very carefully following the developments in Afghanistan. I think our focus is on ensuring the security of Indians in Afghanistan and the safe return. That has been very much the focus of my talks with the UN Secretary General and other colleagues."

This has been the focus even during his talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, he said.