Afghanistan Crisis: US & UK Call For Coordination Among Allies, Canada Denies Recognition Of Taliban

US President Joe Biden spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and discussed the need for continued close coordination among allies and democratic partners on Afghanistan.

Taliban officials arrange Taliban flag ahead of press conference in Kabul (Image: AFP)

New Delhi: It was a watershed moment for Afghanistan after the Taliban insurgents won the longstanding war and entered Kabul by taking over the presidential palace. The fall of Kabul to the Taliban had already raised concerns among the world leaders after US President Joe Biden in April ordered the Pentagon to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by Sept 11.

A cautious approach

In his first call with a foreign leader after the Taliban seized Kabul, Biden spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and discussed the need for continued close coordination among allies and democratic partners on Afghanistan.

The two countries agreed to a virtual meeting with G7 leaders next week to discuss a common strategy and approach, according to news agency ANI.

"President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke today regarding developments in Afghanistan. They commended the bravery and professionalism of their military and civilian personnel, who are working shoulder to shoulder in Kabul on the evacuation of their citizens and Afghan nationals who assisted in the war effort," the White House's statement read.

"They also discussed the need for continued close coordination among allies and democratic partners on Afghanistan policy going forward, including ways the global community can provide further humanitarian assistance and support for refugees and other vulnerable Afghans. They agreed to hold a virtual G7 leaders' meeting next week to discuss a common strategy and approach," it added.

While Johnson stressed it is critical to hold on to the gains made in Afghanistan over the last 20 years. The Prime Minister chalked out plans including increased humanitarian aid to the region and resettlement of refugees.

Taking a stern Stance

Meanwhile, Canada has no intention to recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan's government following the Islamist movement's takeover of Kabul, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday.

"They have taken over and replaced a duly elected democratic government by force. We have no plans to recognise the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan. They are a recognised terrorist organization under Canadian law. Our focus right now is on getting people out of Afghanistan and the Taliban need to ensure free access to people to get to the airport," Canada's CTV Network quoted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as saying on Tuesday, as per ANI.

"The Prime Minister stressed his commitment to work with international partners to avoid a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan and the wider region," a Downing Street spokesperson said after the call with Pakistan's Imran Khan.

Focus on humanitarian efforts

Prime Minister Modi is focused on the efforts to evacuate Indians trapped in Afghanistan. With the restoration of the Taliban in the country, India is reviewing its strategic policy given that both Pakistan and China will move to exercise influence over the next regime in Kabul. The PM chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in which India’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Rudrendra Tandon was present among those evacuated from Kabul.

 PM Modi also stressed that India should provide all possible help to “Afghan brothers and sisters who are looking towards India for assistance”.

Hailing the move 

On the other hand, neighbouring Pakistan which held a significant amount of leverage and influence over the Taliban in the past seems to have endorsed the Taliban taking over Kabul. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said Afghanistan has broken the “shackles of slavery” in the neighbouring war-torn country.

The PM mentioned about how the parallel education system led to the existence of “English medium” schools, resulting in the adoption of “someone else’s culture” in Pakistan.

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, according to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, is "breaking the chains of slavery".