NEW DELHI, Oct 20: Afghanistan’s Defence Minister, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, has said that Kabul wants to maintain positive ties with both Pakistan and India, stressing that no one can dictate to the Afghan Taliban regime on its foreign policy.
Addressing an online press conference, Mujahid, on the Afghan Taliban’s talks with Pakistan in Doha, said the issue of the “imaginary” Durand Line was not discussed by either party, and declared that no country has the right to violate Afghanistan’s sovereignty or undermine its security.
On the issue of the Afghan Taliban’s foreign relations, Mujahid emphasised that Afghanistan is an independent nation, and wants to maintain positive ties with both Pakistan and India, stressing that no one can dictate to Kabul.
“We want relations based on mutual respect with India while maintaining good relations with Pakistan,” he said. “Our ties with India are not against Pakistan, and our ties with Pakistan are not at the expense of India.”
His remarks come days after the India visit of the Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who held talks with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi, with both sides stressing on the increasing warmth of the bilateral ties. India also announced upgrading its ‘technical mission’ in Kabul to the status of full-fledged embassy, and more humanitarian assistance.
In the media briefing, Mujahid referred to the Durand Line as a hypothetical construct, while describing the recent talks with Pakistan as “successful”.
He added that both sides had agreed not to support opposition groups nor engage in hostile actions against each other, and pledged that neither side will allow anyone to conduct activities which are detrimental to either side’s interests on their soil.
According to Mujahid, the negotiations lasted around twelve hours and concluded with commitments to mutual respect, non-aggression and the establishment of a “complete and lasting ceasefire”, adding that a joint technical committee will be formed to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire, and to strengthen the political-economic links between the two nations, under the supervision of Qatar and T?rkiye.
Responding to a query on the future of the Pakistani assurances, Mujahid said “Pakistan made its commitment in the presence of two other countries”, adding that a betrayal of this commitment and subsequent future acts would be met with a decisive, reciprocal response.
Accusing Islamabad of violating Kabul’s airspace, he declared the Islamic Emirate had given a “decisive response” to the other side’s military offensives, and claimed that the Taliban’s actions against Pakistan had the Afghan public’s blessings.
Mujahid also confirmed that cross-border trade between the two countries would resume under the new agreement.
Regarding the issue of Afghan refugees, he said “We discussed the situation of Afghan refugees and emphasised that they must be treated humanely.” Pakistan has deported thousands of Afghan refugees over the past few months, which has led to rise in tensions between the two nations.
(UNI)
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