New Delhi: The world continues to be 'worried and in deeply concerned' mood with regard to Afghanistan. They have a risk watching the country collapse or else they ought to pump in money. The world is willing to help Afghan people and pump in money to prevent the collapse of Afghanistan, but no country is in hurry to recognise the Taliban.
Things could be seen as a setback to players like Pakistan and China besides the Taliban leadership.
In the meantime, the crises in Afghanistan are only growing. The civil servants have not been paid and food prices have soared. The banks are running out of money and millions are at risk of severe hunger.
The powerful Group of 20 (G-20) major economies is determined to tackle the humanitarian crisis in the Taliban-ruled nation. Importantly, no less than UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said bolstering the economy can be done without recognizing the Taliban.
Most nations are still not interested in recognising the Taliban, a demand the militants and their sponsors Pakistan must have presumed would come easily.
Even the Taliban realises that on the ground, going is a pretty tough business.
Thus, came an impatient plea: "We urge world countries to end existing sanctions and let banks operate normally so that charity groups, organisations and the government can pay salaries to their staff with their own reserves and international financial assistance.”
However, making it clear that things could not be 'united' global efforts yet, two important global players Xi Jinping of China and Russian President Vladimir skipped the G-20 Extra Ordinary Leaders Meet on Oct 12 convened by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who did not contest for re-election last month, reaffirmed Germany’s pledge of €600 m and said Afghanistan should not be allowed to “descend into chaos”.
The virtual summit was also addressed virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who shared the agony of the people of Afghanistan and also asserted that Afghanistan should not be allowed to turn into a hub for radicals and terrorism.
US President Joe Biden stressed that aid should not be given directly to the ruling Taliban and instead be provided via independent international organisations.
Pledges so far include a promise by European Commission, President Ursula von der Leyen, to give €1bn ($1.15bn; £850m) to Afghanistan and to neighbouring countries taking in refugees.
“None of us has anything to gain if the entire monetary system in Afghanistan collapses or the financial system collapses,” Ms Merkel later told reporters.
The leaders also discussed ways to prevent Afghanistan becoming a haven for militants such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
China wants revocation of all sanctions against Afghanistan. Beijing has reconciled and backed the Taliban’s return, a stand that is aimed to tap into Afghanistan’s vast mineral resources. Beijing also wants to expanding its massive Belt and Road infrastructure program.
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