Afghanistan Crisis LIVE: Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah Asks Centre Whether It Considers Taliban A Terror Organisation
Afghanistan Taliban Crisis LIVE: For all the latest developments in the Afghanistan-Taliban crisis and the situation created around it follow ABP News LIVE blog to stay updated.
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Background
Afghanistan Taliban Crisis LIVE: India on Tuesday, for the first time held diplomatic talks with the Taliban which has taken control of Afghanistan in the past few days following the withdrawal of US forces from there. An Indian envoy met a leader of the terrorist group in Doha, Qatar's capital. The meeting took place following a request by the new rulers of the strife-hit country, reports PTI.
Ambassador Deepak Mittal, India's envoy to Qatar, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, Head of Taliban's Political Office in that country, according to a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs. They met at the Indian Embassy in Doha, the statement said.
The hardline Islamist Taliban celebrated their total return to power on Tuesday with gunfire and diplomacy, after the last US troops flew out of Afghanistan to end two decades of war.
Taliban fighters then quickly swept into the airport and fired weapons into the sky across the city in jubilation -- an astonishing return after US forces invaded in 2001 and toppled them for supporting Al-Qaeda.
However the Taliban have repeatedly promised a more tolerant and open brand of rule compared with their first stint in power, and Mujahid continued that theme.
"We want to have good relations with the US and the world. We welcome good diplomatic relations with them all," he said.
The UN Security Council, under India's Presidency, adopted a strong resolution demanding that territory of Afghanistan not be used to threaten any country or shelter terrorists and that it expects the Taliban will adhere to commitments made by it regarding the safe and orderly departure from the country of Afghans and all foreign nationals.
Mujahid also insisted Taliban security forces would "be gentle and nice".
Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah Asks Centre Whether It Considers Taliban A Terror Organisation
A day after India officially talked to the Taliban, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday asked the Union government to clarify whether or not it considered the outfit a terror organisation.
"Either Taliban is a terror organisation or it is not. Please clarify to us how you (GoI) see the Taliban," the National Conference vice president told reporters after an Indian representative in Doha met a Taliban leader on Tuesday.
Taliban Approve Afghanistan's First Test Match Since Kabul Takeover
Taliban approve Afghanistan's first Test match ever since it took over the country, news agency AFP quoted Afghanistan Cricket Board as saying.
Putin Says US Achieved 'Zero' In Afghanistan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized the United States' involvement in Afghanistan, charging that its 20-year-long military presence in the country has achieved zero.
Putin said on Wednesday that for 20 years, the U.S. military in Afghanistan was trying ... to civilize the people who live there, to introduce their norms and standards of life in the broadest sense of the word, including the political organization of society.
EAM S Jaishankar Speaks To British Counterpart On Situation In Kabul
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his British counterpart Dominic Raab on Wednesday on the situation in Afghanistan, their second such conversation in a week.
India has been in constant touch with all major countries on the fast-paced developments in Afghanistan, particularly after the Taliban took control of the country on August 15.
"Nice speaking again to UK Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab. Conversation focused on Afghanistan-related developments," Jaishankar tweeted.
Qatari Aircraft Lands In Kabul To Discuss Resumption Of Airport Operations
A Qatari aircraft landed in Kabul on Wednesday carrying a technical team to discuss the resumption of airport operations after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, according to a source with knowledge of the matter Kabul airport.