India is committed towards stability and peace in Afghanistan: Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla

New Delhi: Afghanistan envoy Farid Mamundzay met Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and briefed him about Afghan security. At the time, Secretary Shringla assured that India is committed to Afghan peace and stability. As the US military is withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, the Afghan army is facing a setback. Besides, the Taliban is leading in this conflict. In such a situation, this has posed a threat to all foreign embassies located in Afghanistan. As per the claims published, even India was prepared to shut its embassy in Afghanistan. However, the Indian embassy in Afghanistan dismissed this claim.

Taliban is prepared to capture the Afghan land increasingly. Thus, the security concerns in Afghanistan are rising. So, all other countries are closely monitoring it. India, too had cautioned the Indian citizens in Afghanistan about this. There are about three thousand Indians in Afghanistan. Taliban had declared that the political officials, volunteers and people working on various projects have no threat of Taliban. Despite that, India is concerned about the safety of its political officials, workers and citizens.

Against this background, news had surfaced that India had prepared to shut its embassy in Afghanistan. A few news agencies had cited sources and said that the Indian embassy officials and workers in Afghanistan would be summoned to the homeland. But, the Indian embassy in Afghanistan declared it baseless. They confirmed via social media posts that there is no plan to shut the Indian embassy in Afghanistan. But the embassy further clarified that it is closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Afghan envoy to India Farid Mamundzay met with Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. During the meeting, envoy Mamundzay briefed Secretary Shringla about the current affairs in Afghanistan. Moreover, Secretary Shringla assured the Afghan citizens that India is committed to the stability and development of Afghanistan. The Afghan army is facing a setback in its conflict with the Taliban. Hence, some nations have initiated discussions with the Taliban, considering their vested interests in Afghanistan. These nations include India as well. Qatar had announced having organised a meeting between Indian and Taliban leaders. However, India, as well as the Taliban, dismissed this news. Furthermore, the Afghan government warned that Taliban assuming rule in Afghanistan poses a threat to India.

Against this background, India raised concerns about Taliban using violence and force to establish its rule in Afghanistan. Officially, India has adopted a stance to stand with the Afghan government. But, Taliban demands India to adopt a stricter stance about Afghanistan. Besides, India has said that a peace process should start in Afghanistan and only Afghans must participate in it.

The origin of violence in Afghanistan is in Pakistan. Besides, Pakistan encourages violence and instability in Afghanistan, India alleged. India indicated that it would hold discussions with the Taliban, if it drops Pakistan dominion and decides to participate in the Afghan political process. A possibility of discussion between India-Taliban has agitated Pakistan. Hence, Pakistan fears that its tricks in Afghanistan would get foiled.