Taliban Wants India To Reopen Embassy In Kabul To Boost Ties; Promises Secure Environment

Seven months after they took power in Afghanistan by force, the Taliban is still kept at an arm's length by most countries around the world.

This has not stopped the hardline Islamists from trying to reach out to countries around the world and even making statements on international issues.

One of the countries the Taliban wants to come back to Afghanistan at the earliest is, India.

AP

Taliban leaders have repeatedly made this clear and have thanked New Delhi for its humanitarian assistance in the form of wheat and other essentials.

Taliban's UN ambassador-designate Suhail Shaheen told The Times of India that the government in Kabul was ready to provide a "secure environment" for the Indian embassy in Kabul and that diplomatic presence was essential for boosting bilateral relations.

Indian embassy in Kabul

What he said

"We want all those countries including India who had their embassies in Kabul to reopen their embassies and start functioning as normal. We are committed to providing them a secure environment for their functioning. Diplomatic presence is important for boosting bilateral relations," said Shaheen.

The comments came on the day the UN Security Council adopted a resolution to secure a formal presence in Afghanistan.

The resolution¡ªwhich avoids using the word Taliban¡ªwill allow the UN to continue its ¡°crucial¡± work in Afghanistan..

AFP

The vote was 14 in favor, with one abstention, by Russia.

The United Nations has not yet recognized the Taliban¡¯s pick of envoy to the body, and the resolution does not give the new government international recognition.

Resolution 2626 decides that UNAMA and the UN Secretary-General's special representative will continue to carry out their mandate in support of the people of Afghanistan, in close consultations with all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders, including relevant authorities as needed, obviously in reference to the Taliban.

Norwegian UN ambassador Mona Juul, whose country tabled the draft, explained after the vote that the resolution authorizes UNAMA to engage with all relevant actors on all aspects of its mandate, including the Taliban.

AFP

But she emphasized that the resolution "in no way" implies UN recognition of the Taliban.

The resolution also stresses the critical importance of a continued presence of UNAMA and other UN agencies, funds and programs across Afghanistan.

It calls on all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders and international actors to coordinate with UNAMA in the implementation of its mandate and to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of UN and associated personnel throughout the country.

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