Former US National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton while speaking to WION asserted that the Taliban "remains a terrorist group" even though they may have succeeded in overthrowing the government in Afghanistan.

"I think from the US perspective, there would be broad support to allow American citizens to leave&nbsp;Afghanistan and other citizens who assisted NATO including many Afghans and their families who helped America in the past 20 years," Bolton told WION.

On the UN Security Council extending travel ban waiver to&nbsp;the Taliban and if the line between "engagement" and "recognition" was thinning, Bolton said: "I think the line is thinning,&nbsp;and I think that would be a mistake."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-vice-president-kamala-harris-referred-to-pakistans-role-in-terrorism-during-meeting-with-pm-modi-shringla-415387">Also Read: VP Kamala Harris referred to Pak's role in terrorism during meeting with PM Modi</a>

However, he added that&nbsp;"where I don't think there will be support, and it begins to be a mistake to give the impression that we are prepared to accept Taliban's control as completely established and something acceptable".

Watch WION's full interview with John Bolton

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-exclusive-with-former-united-states-nsa-john-bolton-415475/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Bolton said China and Russia are acting as "surrogates" for the Taliban while adding that it would be a big mistake on the part of the US government to "concede legitimacy" to the Taliban government.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aukus-mentioned-by-australian-pm-scott-morrison-during-bilateral-with-pm-modi-foreign-secretary-harsh-shringla-415382">Also Read:&nbsp;AUKUS mentioned by Australian PM Scott Morrison during bilateral with PM Modi</a>

On the ISIS-K threat, Bolton said although they follow a harder line compared to the Taliban and both maybe be adversaries right now, however, that could "change in a heartbeat".

Bolton said ISIS-K, Al Qaeda including other groups that America is unaware about who are establishing sanctuaries in Afghanistan and planning attacks on America and its allies is "very, very real".

On Biden's "over the horizon" counter-terror policies, Bolton said the over the horizon capabilities would never be adequate to gather sufficient intelligence when America is not in the country which will prevent evaluation in real-time.

"The risk to the US of another 9/11 is very real," Bolton said. "There are already reports of thousands of foreign fighters coming back to Afghanistan."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-invites-us-vice-president-kamala-harris-to-india-says-her-election-a-historic-event-415348">Also Read:&nbsp;PM Modi invites US Vice President Kamala Harris to India</a>

On AUKUS, the ex-NSA said it is a "new idea" and it is in a way to promote a lot of "different combinations" to meet the Chinese threat.

"A good example is the first in-person meeting of Quad leaders hosted by President Biden to meet PM Modi, Japanese PM Suga and PM Morrison."

Bolton said Quad is an example of growing closeness between the United States and India.

"India has a land border with China and there have been incidences along the LAC," he said.

On possible differences between the US and India, Bolton said during the cold war India purchased a lot of weapons from Russia, conceding that the "legacy system that India has is incompatible with US and NATO."

"There has to be a transformation in&nbsp;India's weapon's strategy, it does not need to be all US, it could be France, UK and others who are complaint with NATO," Bolton asserted.

"Trade is always a contentious issue, we have had similar issues with Japan and EU which require negotiations."

Bolton emphasised that common goals should be focussed upon which will be critical in US-India relations.

On the Indo-Pacific issue, Bolton said the US has been broadening and deepening the structure of alliances among its partners while giving AUKUS as an example.

Former US National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton while speaking to WION asserted that the Taliban "remains a terrorist group" even though they may have succeeded in overthrowing the government in Afghanistan.

Former US National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton while speaking to WION asserted that the Taliban "remains a terrorist group" even though they may have succeeded in overthrowing the government in Afghanistan. "I think from the US perspective, there would be broad support to allow American citizens to leave Afghanistan and other citizens who assisted NATO including many Afghans and their families who helped America in the past 20 years," Bolton told WION. On the UN Security Council extending travel ban waiver to the Taliban and if the line between "engagement" and "recognition" was thinning, Bolton said: "I think the line is thinning, and I think that would be a mistake." Also Read: VP Kamala Harris referred to Pak's role in terrorism during meeting with PM Modi However, he added that "where I don't think there will be support, and it begins to be a mistake to give the impression that we are prepared to accept Taliban's control as completely established and something acceptable". Watch WION's full interview with John Bolton Bolton said China and Russia are acting as "surrogates" for the Taliban while adding that it would be a big mistake on the part of the US government to "concede legitimacy" to the Taliban government. Also Read: AUKUS mentioned by Australian PM Scott Morrison during bilateral with PM Modi On the ISIS-K threat, Bolton said although they follow a harder line compared to the Taliban and both maybe be adversaries right now, however, that could "change in a heartbeat". Bolton said ISIS-K, Al Qaeda including other groups that America is unaware about who are establishing sanctuaries in Afghanistan and planning attacks on America and its allies is "very, very real". On Biden's "over the horizon" counter-terror policies, Bolton said the over the horizon capabilities would never be adequate to gather sufficient intelligence when America is not in the country which will prevent evaluation in real-time. "The risk to the US of another 9/11 is very real," Bolton said. "There are already reports of thousands of foreign fighters coming back to Afghanistan." Also Read: PM Modi invites US Vice President Kamala Harris to India On AUKUS, the ex-NSA said it is a "new idea" and it is in a way to promote a lot of "different combinations" to meet the Chinese threat. "A good example is the first in-person meeting of Quad leaders hosted by President Biden to meet PM Modi, Japanese PM Suga and PM Morrison." Bolton said Quad is an example of growing closeness between the United States and India. "India has a land border with China and there have been incidences along the LAC," he said. On possible differences between the US and India, Bolton said during the cold war India purchased a lot of weapons from Russia, conceding that the "legacy system that India has is incompatible with US and NATO." "There has to be a transformation in India's weapon's strategy, it does not need to be all US, it could be France, UK and others who are complaint with NATO," Bolton asserted. "Trade is always a contentious issue, we have had similar issues with Japan and EU which require negotiations." Bolton emphasised that common goals should be focussed upon which will be critical in US-India relations. On the Indo-Pacific issue, Bolton said the US has been broadening and deepening the structure of alliances among its partners while giving AUKUS as an example.

Risk of another 9/11-style attack on US very real: Former NSA John Bolton to WION

In 2001, George W. Bush had declared: "Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists." 20 years later, America's war on terrorism has ended in crushing defeat. The Taliban is announcing its win - by going after rivals and threatening women. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: 20 years after 9/11: Here is how the Taliban is celebrating its victory

President Donald Trump on Monday signed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-passes-911-victim-fund-sends-it-to-president-donald-trump-238095">9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Bill </a>into law to provide health care facilities to the police officers, firefighters and other first responders to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The President was joined by more than 200 individuals affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including more than 60 first responders, at the White House Rose Garden ceremony, CNN reported.

"Today we come together as one nation to support our September 11th heroes to care for their families and to renew our eternal vow -- never ever forget," Trump said, calling the fund`s extension "a sacred duty".

"The love and loyalty of our 9/11 responders knew no bounds. They answered terror with the emotional strength of true American warriors," he added.

Trump told the crowd of 9/11 first responders and their families that he was also at Ground Zero in the wake of the terror attacks, though he said he does not consider himself to be a first responder.

"I was down there also, but I`m not considering myself a first responder," Trump said.

"But I was down there. I spent a lot of time down there with you," he added.

Trump`s signature marked the end of a 15-year fight to get the government to permanently pay claims to first responders and other victims who were sickened by the toxic fumes in the days and weeks following the September 11 terror attacks.

It came after powerful testimony in mid-June from first responder Luis Alvarez, an NYPD detective who contracted cancer.

Alvarez came to Washington before his 69th round of chemotherapy and spoke at a poorly attended congressional hearing, leading to former "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart`s viral shaming of lawmakers that upped public support for the bill.

Alvarez died in late June but gave his police badge to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, inspiring the Kentucky Republican to commit to passing the bill by August.

The bill cleared the House of Representatives on July 12, The New York Post reported.

The extension of the fund will ensure compensation for individuals injured during the 2001 terrorist attacks and in their aftermath rescuing people and removing debris under hazardous conditions.

The fund was slated to expire in 2020. 
But the newly signed legislation ensures the compensation for victims through 2090.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the fund`s extension will cost about US $10 billion over the next decade.

However, Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky and Senator Mike Lee of Utah were the only senators to vote against the bill.

President Donald Trump on Monday signed the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Bill into law to provide health care facilities to the police officers, firefighters and other first responders to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

President Donald Trump on Monday signed the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Bill into law to provide health care facilities to the police officers, firefighters and other first responders to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The President was joined by more than 200 individuals affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including more than 60 first responders, at the White House Rose Garden ceremony, CNN reported. "Today we come together as one nation to support our September 11th heroes to care for their families and to renew our eternal vow -- never ever forget," Trump said, calling the fund`s extension "a sacred duty". "The love and loyalty of our 9/11 responders knew no bounds. They answered terror with the emotional strength of true American warriors," he added. Trump told the crowd of 9/11 first responders and their families that he was also at Ground Zero in the wake of the terror attacks, though he said he does not consider himself to be a first responder. "I was down there also, but I`m not considering myself a first responder," Trump said. "But I was down there. I spent a lot of time down there with you," he added. Trump`s signature marked the end of a 15-year fight to get the government to permanently pay claims to first responders and other victims who were sickened by the toxic fumes in the days and weeks following the September 11 terror attacks. It came after powerful testimony in mid-June from first responder Luis Alvarez, an NYPD detective who contracted cancer. Alvarez came to Washington before his 69th round of chemotherapy and spoke at a poorly attended congressional hearing, leading to former "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart`s viral shaming of lawmakers that upped public support for the bill. Alvarez died in late June but gave his police badge to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, inspiring the Kentucky Republican to commit to passing the bill by August. The bill cleared the House of Representatives on July 12, The New York Post reported. The extension of the fund will ensure compensation for individuals injured during the 2001 terrorist attacks and in their aftermath rescuing people and removing debris under hazardous conditions. The fund was slated to expire in 2020. But the newly signed legislation ensures the compensation for victims through 2090. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the fund`s extension will cost about US $10 billion over the next decade. However, Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky and Senator Mike Lee of Utah were the only senators to vote against the bill.

Trump signs 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund bill into law for first responders