US-India closely monitor Pakistan’s ‘intervention’ in Afghanistan, Foreign Secretary Sringla warns

New Delhi. There has been a strong reaction from India to the new Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Sringla has made it clear that so far India’s contacts with the Taliban have been limited. At the same time, he expressed the possibility that the Taliban would take a rational approach to resolving issues discussed in the past. Apart from this, the United States (USA) and India are keeping a close eye on the formation of new governments of this group in Afghanistan. Both countries are wary of Pakistan’s ‘intervention’ in Afghanistan.

“Obviously, like us, they are watching it very closely,” said Sringla, a foreign secretary who arrived in the United States on a three-day visit. We also need to look at Pakistan’s activities. He said the United States would work on a “wait and see” policy to see what kind of situation is developing in Afghanistan.

“This is also India’s policy,” he said. Sringla said, ‘That doesn’t mean you won’t do anything. It simply means you … the situation on the ground is very unstable, you have to see how it comes out. You need to see if publicly given trusts are being followed and how things will work out.

A senior Taliban leader recently met with the Indian ambassador to Qatar. “Our contact with them (the Taliban) has been limited,” Sringla said. This does not mean that there was a strong dialogue between us. Based on the discussions so far, the foreign secretary said, “At least the Taliban have indicated that they will take appropriate steps to resolve the issue.”