Pakistan played for Taliban to rule, not good for India: US Senator
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US Senator Mike Rounds (file photo)
Washington: Multiple United States administrations were guilty of ignoring Pakistan's role in helping the Taliban regroup and get back to power in Afghanistan, Republican Senator Marco Rubio said on Thursday. Rubio said that the new developments in Afghanistan and the role of Islamabad in Kabul are not sending a good message to India. Other senators also expressed concern over the "double-dealing" of Islamabad, PTI reported.
Marc Rubio told US Secretary of the State Antony Blinken that Pakistan's role in enabling the Taliban is a significant victory for those pro-Taliban hardliners in the Pakistani government. He asked if the United States allowed a third-rate power like Pakistan to unravel its ambitions, what chance would India have of confronting China. This is a terrible situation, he said. Taliban was enjoying a haven in Pakistan to rest, refit, train and recruit.
Senator Mike Rounds said that Pakistan was considering the Taliban as a partner against India. He said that Iran has openly said that the American military faced defeat, and accused Iran of considering working with the Taliban.
Lawmakers accused Pakistan of its part in Afghanistan post 9/11 and asked Washington to reassess its relationship with Islamabad. They also urged the US government to reassess Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally.
