Indian Defence Forces chief hopes for intelligence cooperation against Taliban within Quad

New Delhi: – General Bipin Rawat, India’s Defence Chief, said that the Taliban’s Afghan take over was certain. We expected this to happen, but this happened two months early. He also retorted that there is no change in the Taliban, except that Taliban’s partners have changed. General Rawat made it clear to US Admiral John Aquilino that he expected the United States to share confidential information while the threat of Taliban terror was on the rise.

General Rawat spoke at a panel discussion on ‘The India-US Partnership: Securing the 21st Century’. In a joint interview with Admiral John Aquilino of the US Indo-Pacific Command, General Rawat spoke about the situation in Afghanistan and the Taliban. India had an idea of what was happening in Afghanistan. Only these things are happening two months earlier than expected, General Rawat said. The Taliban have not changed in the last twenty years. Only the Taliban’s partners have changed. People who have left Afghanistan are reporting on Taliban actions. This is clear from that information, he added.

As soon as terrorism in Afghanistan enters India, India will respond with the same stern action, which is being taken against terrorism. General Rawat said that India would welcome the cooperation of the Quad countries in the fight against this terrorism. Meanwhile, the defence chief hinted that Quad’s cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region has become essential due to China’s actions.

The Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean cannot be divided by borders. The responsibility cannot be shared, saying that India is responsible for securing the Indian Ocean region and other countries accountable for the Pacific Ocean. That is why the Indo-Pacific region needs to be considered comprehensively. This is the approach behind Quad’s collaboration. ‘We expect complete freedom of movement here.’ he said.

The Indian Defence Forces can face both situations, one created by the Taliban‘s victory in Afghanistan and the other being the challenge posed by China, General Rawat said. India has two nuclear-equipped neighbours. However, considering the threat posed by these two, India has also prepared for a conventional and nuclear war, said General Rawat. India’s position in the Indo-Pacific region is not aggressive but balanced and prioritizes security. General Rawat also welcomed the participation of other countries in the QUAD and welcomed the Indo-Pacific mission of the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.