Spokespersons of the Taliban stated that Afghanistan wishes to maintain strong trade, economic and political relations with India, "an important country in the region". Senior leader Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai had said consultations with various groups and political parties are going on to form a government in Kabul that will have representations from people from "different walks of life". "We attach great importance to our trade, economic and political relations with India and want to maintain that relation," Stanekzai said on Saturday.
After Taliban took over Afghanistan, chaos has been raging in the country. There were queues for Afghan civilians waiting for evacuation at the Kabul airport, and the Islamic State group had conducted multiple terror strikes in the national capital. India had strongly condemned the terrorist strikes in Kabul, and told the UN Security Council that these attacks reinforce the need for the world to stand unitedly against terrorism and all those who provide sanctuaries to terrorists. Two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul's airport on Thursday, killing at least 60 Afghans and 13 US troops.
"We also need to keep the air trade open," he was quoted as saying by Pakistani media outlet Independent Urdu. The Taliban leader was referring to the air corridor between India and Afghanistan that was established to boost trade between the two countries in view of Pakistan's denial to allow transit access. Stanekzai also described India as an "important country" in the region.
Without elaborating, he said Afghanistan's trade with India through Pakistan is "very important". In his address, the Taliban leader also referred to Afghanistan's relations with Pakistan, China and Russia. He said consultations are going on among the Taliban leadership and with different ethnic groups and political parties about the formation of an "inclusive government" in Kabul. "Currently, the Taliban leadership is consulting with different ethnic groups, political parties and within the Islamic Emirate about forming a government that has to be accepted both inside and outside Afghanistan and to be recognised," Stanekzai was quoted as saying by TOLO News.
Following the Taliban seizing control of Afghanistan, India has been focussing on the evacuation of its citizens, while carefully monitoring the unfolding developments in Kabul.
"The situation on the ground is uncertain. The prime concern at present is the security and safety of the people. Currently, there is a lack of clarity or no clarity about any entity forming a government in Kabul," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Friday when asked whether India will recognise a Taliban regime.
-Inputs from PTI
