India close to officially recognising Taliban as Afghan Govt
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (file photo)
New Delhi: India is said to be close to establishing diplomatic ties with the Taliban government in Afghanistan as the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a joint statement with Australia, addressed the Taliban the one who holds power across Afghanistan.
According to The Indian Express report, acknowledging the Taliban power in Afghanistan is viewed as the first step towards recognising the Taliban administration as the government, which has been derived after much deliberation and debate.
Minister S Jaishankar is said to have termed the Taliban as the "dispensation" in Kabul after the 2+2 talks with Australia involving Foreign and Defence ministers on Saturday.
Expressing their deep concerns over the developing situation, the Foreign Ministers of India and Australia called on the Taliban to ensure foreign nationals and Afghan people who wish to leave the country had their safe passage.
A joint statement said: "They reiterated calls on those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan to adhere to counter-terrorism commitments and human rights, in accordance with UNSCR 2593."
"They (the Ministers) noted reports of a rapid roll-back on women and girls' rights and access to services and public spaces, as well as targeted violence against women's rights defenders. In this regard, the Ministers reiterated their call for protection of rights of women and children and their full participation in public life," the statement also said.
The UN Security Council Resolution 2593 — issued on August 30 under India's month-long presidency — emphasised that Afghanistan must not allow its soil to be used for terrorist-linked activities.