New Delhi: Emphasising that the future of Afghanistan cannot be its past, India on Wednesday presented a three-point roadmap for the conflict-ridden country that entailed cessation of violence and terrorist attacks, settlement of the conflict through political dialogue and steps to ensure that neighbouring countries are not threatened by terrorism, separatism and extremism.
External affairs minister S. Jaishankar put forth the roadmap at a meeting of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) foreign ministers’ contact group on Afghanistan in Dushanbe amid growing global concerns over the Taliban fighters gaining control over large parts of the country.
Russian foreign minister Serge Lavrov, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Afghan foreign minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar were among those who participated at the meeting of the SCO contact group.
“The world, region and the Afghan people all want the same end state: 1. An independent, neutral, unified, peaceful, democratic and prosperous nation,” Jaishankar tweeted.
“2. Ceasing violence and terrorist attacks against civilians and state representatives, settle conflict through political dialogue, and respect interests of all ethnic groups, and 3. Ensure that neighbours are not threatened by terrorism, separatism and extremism,” he said.
Amid escalating violence in Afghanistan, India has been pressing for a comprehensive ceasefire.
“Peace negotiations in earnest is the only answer. An acceptable compromise that reflects Doha process, Moscow format and Istanbul process is essential. The future of Afghanistan cannot be its past. A whole new generation has different expectations. We should not let them down,” Jaishankar added.
The Doha process, Moscow format and Istanbul process are separate frameworks for dialogue to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan.
“The challenge is to act seriously and sincerely on these beliefs. Because there are forces at work with a very different agenda. The world is against the seizure of power by violence and force. It will not legitimise such actions,” Jaishankar said.
Afghanistan witnessed a series of terror attacks in the last few weeks as the US aimed to complete the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan by August-end, ending a nearly two-decade of its military presence in the war-ravaged country.
Earlier this month, the Indian embassy asked all Indians visiting, staying and working in Afghanistan to exercise the utmost caution with regard to their security and avoid all types of non-essential travel in view of rising incidents of violence in various parts of the country.
In an advisory, the embassy said the security situation in Afghanistan remains “dangerous” and that terror groups have carried out a series of complex attacks including targeting civilians, adding Indian nationals additionally face a “serious threat” of kidnapping.
India has been a major stakeholder in the peace and stability of Afghanistan. It has already invested nearly USD three billion in aid and reconstruction activities in the country.
India has been supporting a national peace and reconciliation process which is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.
Afghanistan seeks India’s aid
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan government has expressed its willingness to take India’s military assistance “at some future point” if talks with the insurgent Talibans fail amidst the withdrawal of US troops from the war-torn country, NDTV has quoted Farid Mamundzay, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to India, as saying.
Mamundzay, however, made it clear that aid sought would not involve sending troops but could be in areas like training and technical support.
“We are not seeking India’s assistance with sending troops to Afghanistan. Their footprint in Afghanistan to fight our war would not be needed at this stage,” he added.
Explaining further, Mamundzay said that the air force is one area where his country would need India’s support, as India is a “naturally a place” for training, especially pilot training.
“India has also, again, helped us with two key components, one was to help with providing us military training (and) scholarships for our cadets,” Mamundzay added.
The Afghan envoy noted that India provides 1,000 annual scholarships to students from his country, and currently, over 20,000 Afghan students are studying in India.
According to him, the current scenario in Afghanistan is “very dire” and “very problematic”, with the government forces actively fighting the Taliban in around 150 of the 376 districts.
(With PTI inputs)