LONDON: India as a key regional player and ally of the US and its history of investments in Afghanistan could have a positive impact on the future of the country now under Taliban control, a US State Department spokesperson has said here.
In an interview with PTI ahead of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks this week, Zed Tarar reiterated US President Joe Biden’s message that the war in Afghanistan had achieved its central mission to eliminate the Al Qaeda terror network – behind the attacks on September 11, 2001.
Now, the focus is on working with “like-minded partners and democracies”, such as India, to look towards the next chapter of supporting the people of Afghanistan.
“India being a regional ally has a role to play; and the humanitarian role and previous investment role is one that could have a positive impact on the future of Afghanistan. India as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has a role to play. We are in close consultations in New York, New Delhi and Washington with India on this issue,” said Tarar, the London-based Hindu/Urdu spokesperson for the US State Department.
The US forces completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan ahead of the August 31 deadline, at the end of an “unprecedented airlift” to evacuate over 100,000 people by air from the Afghan capital Kabul. On some of the international voices questioning the timing and manner of the withdrawal, Tarar was categorical that it was time for the US to end the war.
—PTI

Press Trust of India