News Analysis India

Tag: Taliban

  • Taliban’s growing sway in Afghanistan could spike drug flow into India

    Express News Service
    KOCHI: Repercussions of the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s increasing influence there are being felt across the world, even in Kerala. Indian agencies, especially those involved in anti-narcotics operations, are on alert as they fear that the Taliban’s growth in Afghanistan would lead to a spurt in smuggling of drugs into India and Kerala in the coming months.Sources in the customs department, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) said the recent spike in seizures of highly-processed drugs like heroin and cocaine across India, including in Kerala, is as an indicator of the Taliban growing influence in Afghanistan.

    They said in all the seizures, especially of heroin from fishing boats and at airports in Kerala, it was found that Afghanistan was origin point of the drugs. “Despite the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan for two decades, Taliban ensured that the cultivation of poppy (opium) stayed intact as it is its chief funding source. Afghanistan is the prime cultivator of illegal poppy in the world even though it has been a war zone for 20 years. While US troops destroyed several poppy fields when they captured the land, its illegal cultivation could not be controlled as this was being done in remote areas fully controlled by terrorist groups,” said an NCB official.

    The agencies said the cultivation of poppy will rise in Afghanistan now. India is one of the first countries where the smuggled drugs land after they are processed in Afghanistan and Pakistan. To deal with drugs trafficking, the agencies here have enhanced their intelligence networks. “Earlier, porous borders in India’s north-western front which lies close to Pakistan was the drug smuggling route. Since surveillance was increased to prevent the sneaking in of drugs, smugglers are trying sea and air routes,” said the NCB official. As per a UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report, poppy was cultivated in 2.24 lakh hectares of land in Afghanistan in 2020 compared to 1.63 lakh hectares in 2019. The potential production capacity of poppy in Afghanistan is around 6,300 tonnes per year. 

    “There will be a spurt in narco-terrorism once Taliban gains control of Afghanistan following the complete pullout of foreign troops in the next few months. The situation is alarming as India’s internal security is likely to face challenges,” said G Shreekumar Menon, former DG, National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN). 

    “Drugs trade contributes a majority to Taliban’s funding. If they gain power after the withdrawal of troops, there will be attempts to procure sophisticated weapons for which enormous funds will be required. Poppy cultivation will be hiked which ultimately will be sourced to countries like India. Funds from it will also be used for terrorists activities in Kashmir,” he said. Menon said the sea route was most vulnerable to drugs trafficking and even drones could be used for cross-country movement of drugs. 

    “It is impossible for agencies to check each and every fishing vessel that ventures into the sea daily. Our country has a vast coastline. And since drones are being used for terrorist activities, attempts to use them for drug trafficking cannot be ruled out. Security activities should be on alert following the developments in Afghanistan,” he said.

    A former NCB zonal director said considering the number of fishing vessels in Kerala, security agencies should be on high alert. “The shipping route close to Kerala’s coastline has started to witness an increase in drugs trafficking. It is high time agencies deter smugglers from opening a gateway to bring drugs into the country. Fishing vessels that venture close to the coastlines of Iran and Pakistan should be checked as drugs are often loaded from there,” he said.

  • MEA S Jaishankar discusses Afghan situation with Iranian foreign minister

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif on Wednesday, focussing on the evolving situation in Afghanistan as well as bilateral issues.

    The conversation came two weeks after Jaishankar held extensive talks with Zarif and called on Iran’s President-elect Ebrahim Raisi during a stopover at the Iranian capital, Tehran, on his way to Russia.

    In a tweet, Jaishankar described the conversation as “productive”, without mentioning the areas of discussion.

    “Good to talk to Iranian FM @JZarif. A productive conversation on our ties,” he wrote on Twitter.

    Iranian media reports said the two foreign ministers discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan.

    “Foreign ministers of Iran and India discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan in a telephone conversation on Wednesday,” Iran’s IRNA news agency reported.

    Afghanistan has been witnessing a series of terror attacks and attempts by the Taliban to expand its territorial control after the United States began withdrawing its troops from the country on May 1.

    Along with Russia, Iran has been playing a major role in the Afghan peace process that has witnessed a renewed momentum following the drawdown of troops by the US as well as widespread violence in the country.

    Earlier this month, Iran hosted an intra-Afghan dialogue and the Taliban was part of it.

    It is learnt that Jaishankar and Zarif also deliberated on bilateral issues.

    The development of the Chabahar port has been a major highlight of the ties between the two countries.

    At a connectivity conference in Tashkent last week, Jaishankar projected Iran’s Chabahar port as a key regional transit hub, including to Afghanistan.

    Located in Sistan-Balochistan province on energy-rich Iran’s southern coast, the Chabahar port is being developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan to boost trade ties.

  • Body of Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui handed over by Taliban to Red Cross: Sources

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The body of Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui, killed in Kandahar in Afghanistan, has been handed over by the Taliban to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), sources said on Friday.

    India has been informed about the handing over of the body by the Taliban to the ICRC and Indian authorities are working on bringing it back, they said.

    Siddiqui was killed in Kandahar on Friday while covering a clash between Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters.

    “We have been informed that the body has been handed over by the Taliban to the ICRC. We are actively facilitating the return of the body in coordination with Afghan authorities and the ICRC,” said a source.

    The sources said the Indian embassy in Kabul is in touch with Afghan authorities to bring back Siddiqui’s mortal remains.

    Earlier, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the government is in touch with the photojournalist’s family.

    Afghanistan’s Tolo News, quoting sources, reported that Siddiqui was killed during clashes in Spin Boldak district in Kandahar.

    It said fierce fighting has been underway in Kandahar, especially in Spin Boldak, for the last few days.

    Afghanistan witnessed a series of terror attacks in the last few weeks as the US withdrew the majority of its troops from the country and aimed to complete the drawdown by August 31, ending nearly two-decade of its military presence in the country.

    The Taliban was evicted from power by the US-led forces in 2001.

    Now, as the US is pulling back its troops, the Taliban fighters are attempting to gain control of various parts of the country.

  • Future of Afghanistan cannot be its past, says EAM Jaishankar at SCO meet

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The future of Afghanistan cannot be its past and the world is against seizure of power by violence and force, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Wednesday at a key meeting of the SCO in the backdrop of Taliban fighters gaining control over large parts of the conflict-ridden country.

    In his address at the meeting of the SCO foreign ministers’ contact group on Afghanistan in Dushanbe, Jaishankar also emphasised the need for ensuring that Kabul’s neighbours are not “threatened by terrorism, separatism and extremism”.

    The meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s contact group took place in the midst of growing global concerns over escalating violence in Afghanistan as the US looked to complete withdrawal of its troops from the country by August 31.

    Russian Foreign Minister Sergey 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.

    Presenting India’s views on Afghanistan, Jaishankar said the world, the region and the Afghan people all want an “independent, neutral, unified, peaceful, democratic and prosperous nation”.

    “Peace negotiations in earnest is the only answer. An acceptable compromise that reflects the Doha process, Moscow format and Istanbul process is essential The future of Afghanistan cannot be its past,” he tweeted.

    “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 seizure of power by violence and force. It will not legitimise such actions,” Jaishankar said.

    He also called for ceasing violence and terrorist attacks against civilians and state representatives and pitched for settling conflict through political dialogue, and by respecting the interests of all ethnic groups.

    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.

  • Jaishankar meets Mohammad Atmar amid growing Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who briefed him about the situation in the war-torn country amid growing security concerns over the Taliban fighters rapidly seizing control of a large number of areas, forcing many countries to scale down their presence there.

    While there was no official readout of Jaishankar-Atmar meeting from the Indian side, an official release from the Afghan side said they met to “discuss the political and security situation, peace process, and India’s cooperation with Afghanistan in various fields, including the joint fight against terrorism and the establishment of lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region”.

    Jaishankar arrived in the Tajik capital on Tuesday for a two-day visit to attend the meetings of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers and the SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan which will discuss the deteriorating security situation, arising out of speedy withdrawal of the US forces.

    “Began my Dushanbe visit by meeting with Afghan FM @MHaneefAtmar. Appreciate his update on recent developments. Looking forward to the meeting of the SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan tomorrow,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    During the meeting, Atmar elaborated on the political and security situation in Afghanistan, the outcome of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s recent visit to Washington DC, and the United States’ continued support and cooperation with Afghanistan, the release said.

    It further added that Atmar, while referring to the escalation of the Taliban attacks in collusion with foreign fighters and regional and international terrorist networks against civilians and the Afghan defense forces, said overcoming this common threat was of vital importance to regional security.

    Atmar underscored the constructive role of India in strengthening regional consensus on the Afghan peace process and the preservation of the achievements of the last two decades, it said.

    Jaishankar expressed concern over the escalation of violence and stressed the need to end the bloodshed in Afghanistan, the release said, and added that the Indian minister assured Atmar of India’s continued cooperation in strengthening regional and global consensus to achieve a political settlement in Afghanistan.

    India has been supporting a national peace and reconciliation process which is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.

    The meeting between the two foreign ministers comes days after India evacuated around 50 diplomats and security personnel from its consulate in Kandahar in a military aircraft in the wake of intense fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants.

    Noting that the government was closely monitoring the situation, Indian officials said the Indian consulates in Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Mazar-i-Sharif remain operational.

    Earlier in the day, Afghanistan’s envoy to India Farid Mamundzay said the Indian consulate general in Kandahar has not been closed and continues to operate through local staff.

    “The temporary measure to bring diplomats back to India is based on safety and security grounds. India’s long-term commitment towards a peaceful, sovereign and stable Afghanistan remains strong,” he said.

    Several countries, including China and France have asked their nationals to leave Afghanistan over security concerns.

    A number of countries have also sent home non-essential personnel from their diplomatic missions in Kabul and warned their citizens against travelling to Afghanistan.

    The SCO contact group meeting on Afghanistan especially assumes significance as it comes amidst growing global concerns over Taliban fighters rapidly seizing control of a large number of areas in Afghanistan.

    Afghanistan has witnessed a series of terror attacks in the last few weeks as the US looked 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.

    A major stakeholder in the peace and stability of Afghanistan, India has already invested nearly USD 3 billion in aid and reconstruction activities in the country.

    The SCO, seen as a counterweight to NATO, is an eight-member economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.

    India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.

    The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

  • India monitoring situation in Afghanistan’s Mazar-i-Sharif; Consulate operational : Sources

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Indian Consulate in Afghanistan’s Mazar-i-Sharif is operational and officials are closely monitoring the situation, sources said on Monday, a day after India evacuated diplomats and security personnel from its Kandahar consulate in the wake of intense fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants.

    However, the Ministry of External Affairs had clarified on Sunday that the consulate in Kandahar continues to operate through local staff members.

    “Both the Consulates are functional and operational. There is no change in status. We are closely monitoring the situation and developments,” an official source here said when asked about the Indian consulates in Kandahar and Mazar-i-Sharif in view of the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.

    There were reports that at least two foreign missions in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, have closed their operation due to the escalating violence in the region.

    According to officials, India had evacuated around 50 diplomats and security personnel from its consulate in Kandahar in a military aircraft.

    Responding to media queries, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Sunday that India-based personnel have been brought back for the time being from Kandahar in view of the intense fighting near the city and that New Delhi is closely monitoring the evolving security situation in Afghanistan.

    India’s move to bring back its Indian staff came in the midst of growing global concerns over the Taliban fighters rapidly seizing control of a large number of areas in Afghanistan, triggering huge security concerns.

    There were reports that a sizeable number of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists are also operating in the Kandahar and Helmand provinces.

    Afghanistan witnessed a series of terror attacks in the last few weeks as the US looked 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.

    Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Tajikistan on July 13-14 to attend the SCO Council meeting of Foreign Ministers and the Contact Group on Afghanistan which will review the worsening security situation in that country amidst speedy return of American forces to the US.

    Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are also expected to attend these meetings.

    While Jaishankar is expected to hold bilateral talks with foreign ministers of some participating countries on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meet, there was no official word on any bilateral interaction or pull aside with Pakistan or China.

    Announcing Jaishankar’s visit, the external affairs ministry said the foreign ministers’ conference will also assess the preparation for the upcoming meeting of SCO Council of Heads of States on September 16-17 in Dushanbe, and exchange views on current international and regional issues.

    During the visit, the external affairs minister will also attend the meeting of the SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan on July 14.

    This meeting will also see the participation of the Afghanistan government, the MEA said.

    The SCO contact group meeting on Afghanistan assumes significance as it comes amidst growing global concerns over the Taliban fighters rapidly seizing control of a large number of areas in Afghanistan, triggering huge security concerns.

    There were reports that a sizeable number of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists are also operating in the Kandahar and Helmand provinces.

    India has evacuated around 50 diplomats and security personnel from its consulate in Kandahar in a military aircraft in the wake of intense fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants.

    Afghanistan has witnessed a series of terror attacks in the last few weeks as the US looked 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.

    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.

    Jaishankar’s visit to Tajikistan comes at the invitation of Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, MEA said, adding that the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting will discuss the achievements of the organisation as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of its formation this year.

    The minister is also expected to travel to Uzbekistan for a connectivity meet after the Tajikistan trip, sources said.

    The SCO, seen as a counterweight to NATO, is an eight-member economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.

    India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.

    The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

  • Taliban gains cast shadow on India’s Afghan mission

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  A day after India pulled out its diplomats and security staff from its consulate in Kandahar in the wake of the Taliban’s continued onslaught, government sources said New Delhi might have to close its embassy in Kabul if the situation continued to deteriorate. Though the Afghan capital has not yet fallen to the Taliban, analysts had predicted the militia would capture the city within months of US troop withdrawal.

    With the Taliban gaining control of new areas around Kandahar, India on Saturday night evacuated 50 diplomats and ITBP personnel from its consulate in the southern Afghan city. However, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Sunday said the move was temporary and was taken given the intense fighting near Kandahar city.

    ALSO READ | Should India shun Taliban? Experts divided

    “India is closely monitoring the evolving security situation in Afghanistan. The safety and security of our personnel is paramount. The Consulate General of India in Kandahar has not been closed. However, due to the intense fighting near Kandahar city, India-based personnel have been brought back for the time being. I want to emphasise that this is a purely temporary measure until the situation stabilises. The consulate continues to operate through our local staff members,” Bagchi said.

    According to sources, the diplomats, other staff members and the ITBP personnel were brought back in a special Indian Air Force plane and Pakistani airspace was not used during the operation. Sources said officials are reviewing the highly volatile and fluid situation in the war-torn country on a daily basis and responding to any emerging challenges within 48 hours.

    Bagchi said arrangements are being made to ensure continued delivery of visa and consular services through the country’s embassy in Kabul. “As an important partner of Afghanistan’s, India is committed to a peaceful, sovereign and democratic Afghanistan.”

  • India evacuates 50 diplomats, security personnel from Kandahar as Taliban captures new areas

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India has pulled out around 50 diplomats and security personnel from its consulate in Kandahar in Afghanistan in view of the deteriorating security situation and the Taliban gaining control of new areas around the southern Afghan city, people familiar with the development said on Sunday.

    They said that special aircraft of the Indian Air Force was sent on Saturday to bring back the Indian diplomats, officials and other staff members including a group of Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India-based personnel have been brought back for the time being in view of intense fighting near Kandahar city.

    Describing the pull out of the India-based personnel as a temporary measure, he said the consulate continues to operate through the local staff members. He said Ithat ndia is closely monitoring the evolving security situation in Afghanistan.

    “The safety and security of our personnel is paramount. The consulate general of India in Kandahar has not been closed.However, due to the intense fighting near Kandahar city, India-based personnel have been brought back for the time being,” Bagchi said.

    ALSO READ | Afghan Taliban says it sees China as a ‘friend’, promises not to host Uyghur militants: Report

    He was replying to a media query on the issue. “I want to emphasise that this is a purely temporary measure until the situation stabilises. The consulate continues to operate through our local staff members,” Bagchi said.

    He said arrangements are being made to ensure continued delivery of visa and consular services through the Indian embassy in Kabul. “An important partner of Afghanistan, India remains committed to a peaceful, sovereign and democratic Afghanistan,” the spokesperson said.

    India’s move to temporarily bring back its Indian staff came in view of Taliban fighters rapidly seizing control of a number of key areas in the region as well as in western Afghanistan triggering huge security concerns.

    On Tuesday, the Indian embassy in Kabul said there was no plan to close the embassy and the consulates in Kandahar and Mazar-e-Sharif. Two days back, the Ministry of External said India was carefully monitoring the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and its implications on the safety and security of Indian nationals. “Our response will be calibrated accordingly,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Bagchi had said at a media briefing on Thursday.

    Afghanistan witnessed a series of terror attacks in the last few weeks as the US looked 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.

    There were reports that at least two foreign missions in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, have closed their operation in view of the escalating violence in the region.

    Amid growing concerns in India over the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, Afghan Ambassador Farid Mamundzay on Tuesday briefed Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on the situation in Afghanistan.

    The Indian embassy last week 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.

    In March, Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar visited India during which Jaishankar conveyed to him India’s long-term commitment towards a peaceful, sovereign and stable Afghanistan.

  • India evacuates 50 diplomats, security personnel from Kandahar as Taliban captures news areas

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India has pulled out around 50 diplomats and security personnel from its consulate in Kandahar in Afghanistan in view of the deteriorating security situation and the Taliban gaining control of new areas around the southern Afghan city, people familiar with the development said on Sunday.

    A special aircraft of the Indian Air Force was sent on Saturday to bring back the Indian diplomats, officials and other staff members including a group of Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel, they said.

    India’s move to temporarily shut the consulate in Kandahar came in view of Taliban fighters rapidly seizing control of a number of key areas in the region as well as in western Afghanistan triggering huge security concerns.

    On Tuesday, the Indian embassy in Kabul said there was no plan to close the embassy and the consulates in Kandahar and Mazar-e-Sharif.

    ALSO READ | Afghan Taliban says it sees China as a ‘friend’, promises not to host Uyghur militants: Report

    Two days back, the Ministry of External said India was carefully monitoring the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and its implications on the safety and security of Indian nationals.

    “Our response will be calibrated accordingly,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing on Thursday.

    Afghanistan witnessed a series of terror attacks in the last few weeks as the US looked 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.

    There were reports that at least two foreign missions in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, have closed their operation in view of escalating violence in the region.

    Amid growing concerns in India over the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, Afghan Ambassador Farid Mamundzay on Tuesday briefed Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on the situation in Afghanistan.

    The Indian embassy last week 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.

    In March, Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar visited India during which Jaishankar conveyed to him India’s long-term commitment towards a peaceful, sovereign and stable Afghanistan.

  • Reports claiming Jaishankar’s meeting with certain Taliban leaders ‘completely false’: Sources

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Reports claiming that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with certain Taliban leaders are “completely false, baseless and mischievous”, sources said on Tuesday.

    The reaction from sources here came after some reports on social media claimed that Jaishankar met certain Taliban leaders, who assured the minister that the outfit’s future relations with India will not be based on Pakistan’s views and wishes. “We have seen social media reports claiming that the External Affairs Minister has met certain Taliban leaders. Such reports are completely false, baseless and mischievous,” said a source.

    The reports emerged as the US looked to complete the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan by September 11, ending a nearly two-decade of its military presence in the war-ravaged country.

    In the midst of fast-paced developments relating to the Afghan peace process, a senior Qatari diplomat said at a webinar organised by the Arab Center in Washington DC recently that he believed the Indian side was engaging with the Taliban as the group could be a key component in the future of Afghanistan.