The Taliban has said that it is committed to the negotiation path in Doha and does not want it to collapse. They said this in connection with the peace talks held in Doha. "We've not closed the political path, the political path is still open," said the Taliban spokesperson.

We've not closed the political path, the political path is still open: Taliban

Turkey plans to host an Afghan peace conference in Istanbul in April, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday, ahead of a deadline for a US troop withdrawal.

In a letter leaked to Afghan media, Secretary of State Antony Blinken encouraged Afghan leaders to consider a "new, inclusive government" and proposed that talks take place within weeks in Turkey to seal a peace deal with the Taliban.

Cavusoglu said Turkey considers itself "one of the most important actors in Afghanistan."

"We will do this (meeting) in coordination with brotherly Qatar," the Anadolu state news agency quoted Cavusoglu as saying in reference to a separate round of talks staged in Doha.

He added that Turkey intended to appoint a special envoy to the peace process.

"Both the Taliban and the negotiation delegation, meaning the government side, had asked us to host such a meeting before," Cavusoglu said.

The diplomatic push comes with US President Joe Biden completing a review on whether to abide by an agreement with the Islamist insurgents negotiated by former President Donald Trump to pull the final US troops out by May.

In his letter, Blinken said Washington feared the "security situation will worsen and the Taliban could make rapid territorial gains" if the United States ends its two-decade military involvement in Afghanistan.

Turkey plans to host an Afghan peace conference in Istanbul in April, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday, ahead of a deadline for a US troop withdrawal.

Turkey plans to host an Afghan peace conference in Istanbul in April, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday, ahead of a deadline for a US troop withdrawal. In a letter leaked to Afghan media, Secretary of State Antony Blinken encouraged Afghan leaders to consider a "new, inclusive government" and proposed that talks take place within weeks in Turkey to seal a peace deal with the Taliban. Cavusoglu said Turkey considers itself "one of the most important actors in Afghanistan." "We will do this (meeting) in coordination with brotherly Qatar," the Anadolu state news agency quoted Cavusoglu as saying in reference to a separate round of talks staged in Doha. He added that Turkey intended to appoint a special envoy to the peace process. "Both the Taliban and the negotiation delegation, meaning the government side, had asked us to host such a meeting before," Cavusoglu said. The diplomatic push comes with US President Joe Biden completing a review on whether to abide by an agreement with the Islamist insurgents negotiated by former President Donald Trump to pull the final US troops out by May. In his letter, Blinken said Washington feared the "security situation will worsen and the Taliban could make rapid territorial gains" if the United States ends its two-decade military involvement in Afghanistan.

Turkey plans to host Afghan peace talks in April

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-blast-injures-russian-embassy-staff-346820">Afghan</a> government and the Taliban agreed to "procedures" for the intra-Afghan negotiations with discussions set to begin, negotiators said today.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/germany-warns-against-rash-actions-over-troop-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-346714">Also Read:&nbsp;Germany warns against 'rash actions' over troop withdrawal from Afghanistan</a>

The two sides had begun talks in September but it got bogged down over several issues amid escalation in violence.

"I welcome the initial major step taken in Doha today agreeing to the procedural framework that paves the way for discussions about the peace agenda," Dr Abudullah Abdullah, who is the chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation, said.

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I welcome the initial major step taken in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Doha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Doha</a> today agreeing to the procedural framework that paves the way for discussions about the peace agenda. I thank the republic’s negotiation team, all facilitators &amp; the host <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Qatar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Qatar</a> for their valuable support.
— Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (@DrabdullahCE) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrabdullahCE/status/1334117163372859395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Trump administration has decided to pull foreign troops out of the country in exchange for security guarantees and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-demands-apology-from-china-for-repugnant-afghan-tweet-346407">Taliban</a>'s pledge to hold talks with the Ghani government.

"As negotiations on a political roadmap and permanent ceasefire begin, we will work hard &nbsp;with all sides for serious reduction of violence and even a ceasefire during this period," US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad said while reiterating that he now expects "rapid progress on a political roadmap and a ceasefire."

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4/4 As negotiations on a political roadmap and permanent ceasefire begin, we will work hard with all sides for serious reduction of violence and even a ceasefire during this period. This is what the Afghan people want and deserve.
— U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) <a href="https://twitter.com/US4AfghanPeace/status/1334108221297004545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The agreement comes after several rounds of talks in Doha over months spearheaded by the United States government. The Taliban had earlier refused to agree to a ceasefire during the talks leading to a deadlock.

The Taliban said, "the procedures including its preamble of the intra-Afghan negotiations has been finalised and from now on, the negotiations will begin on the agenda."

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The procedures including its preamble of the Intra-Afghan Negotiations has been finalized and from now on, the negotiations will begin on the agenda.
— Dr.M.Naeem (@IeaOffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/IeaOffice/status/1334103287080116224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In February, the Trump administration had struck a deal with the Taliban according to which foreign forces were to leave Afghanistan by May 2021 subject to guarantees from the Taliban which included a permanent ceasefire and a power-sharing agreement with the Ghani government.

The talks were given a further boost by US secretary of state Mike Pompeo who called for "expedited discussions" when he met the Taliban representatives and the Afghan government officials in Doha last month. 
&nbsp;

The Afghan government and the Taliban agreed to "procedures" for the intra-Afghan negotiations with discussions set to begin, negotiators said today. Also Read: Germany warns against 'rash actions' over troop withdrawal from Afghanistan The two sides had begun talks in September but it got bogged down over several issues amid escalation in violence.

The Afghan government and the Taliban agreed to "procedures" for the intra-Afghan negotiations with discussions set to begin, negotiators said today. Also Read: Germany warns against 'rash actions' over troop withdrawal from Afghanistan The two sides had begun talks in September but it got bogged down over several issues amid escalation in violence. "I welcome the initial major step taken in Doha today agreeing to the procedural framework that paves the way for discussions about the peace agenda," Dr Abudullah Abdullah, who is the chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation, said. I welcome the initial major step taken in #Doha today agreeing to the procedural framework that paves the way for discussions about the peace agenda. I thank the republic’s negotiation team, all facilitators & the host #Qatar for their valuable support. — Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (@DrabdullahCE) December 2, 2020 × The Trump administration has decided to pull foreign troops out of the country in exchange for security guarantees and the Taliban's pledge to hold talks with the Ghani government. "As negotiations on a political roadmap and permanent ceasefire begin, we will work hard with all sides for serious reduction of violence and even a ceasefire during this period," US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad said while reiterating that he now expects "rapid progress on a political roadmap and a ceasefire." 4/4 As negotiations on a political roadmap and permanent ceasefire begin, we will work hard with all sides for serious reduction of violence and even a ceasefire during this period. This is what the Afghan people want and deserve. — U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) December 2, 2020 × The agreement comes after several rounds of talks in Doha over months spearheaded by the United States government. The Taliban had earlier refused to agree to a ceasefire during the talks leading to a deadlock. The Taliban said, "the procedures including its preamble of the intra-Afghan negotiations has been finalised and from now on, the negotiations will begin on the agenda." The procedures including its preamble of the Intra-Afghan Negotiations has been finalized and from now on, the negotiations will begin on the agenda. — Dr.M.Naeem (@IeaOffice) December 2, 2020 × In February, the Trump administration had struck a deal with the Taliban according to which foreign forces were to leave Afghanistan by May 2021 subject to guarantees from the Taliban which included a permanent ceasefire and a power-sharing agreement with the Ghani government. The talks were given a further boost by US secretary of state Mike Pompeo who called for "expedited discussions" when he met the Taliban representatives and the Afghan government officials in Doha last month.

Taliban, Afghan government agree to advance talks to next stage

In his first high-level political engagement in Delhi, Chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) Dr Abdullah Abdullah met India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Wednesday evening at the Hyderabad house.&nbsp;

Dr Abdullah is the chief Afghan government negotiator for the intra-Afghan talks. &nbsp;

During the meeting, Dr Abdullah briefed Doval about the ongoing intra-Afghan talks between Afghan government and the Taliban in Doha, with India reiterating support for an "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, Afghan-controlled" peace process.

Calling the talks "constructive", &nbsp;the senior Afghan politician tweeted, "We discussed the Afghan peace process &amp; the talks in Doha.&nbsp;He assured me of India’s full support for the peace efforts, &amp; that any peace settlement acceptable to Afghans, will have the support of India."

He said, NSA Doval stated that New Delhi "is in favor an independent, democratic, sovereign &amp; peaceful Afghanistan, where no terrorists can operate" for which he thanked India's "continued support for Afghanistan&nbsp;&amp; its constructive role in peace efforts."

Present during the Wednesday meeting were&nbsp;other Afghan dignitaries including Tahir Qadiry, charges d'affaires at the Afghan embassy in Delhi, Mohammad Akram Khpalwak Deputy Chairman of HCNR, Nasrullah Arsalai Senior Adviser &amp; SR of the Chairman for Provincial Affairs, Farida Momand, Member of the Leadership Board of HCNR, Zeya Gul Rezaee Member of the Leadership Board of HCNR, Roz Mohammad Noor Senior Advisor to Chairman HCNR, Amir Mohammad Akhundzada Senior Advisor to Chairman, HCNR, Ahmad Zahir Anwari Special Assistant to Chairman of the HCNR.

From the India side CDS Bipin Rawat, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla , Army Chief Gen Naravane, Dy NSA Pankaj Saran, JS PAI Division, JP Singh and other high ranking Indian officials were present.

This is the first India visit of Dr Abdullah in his present capacity. Last month when intra-Afghan talks began in Doha, Joint Secretary in the Pakistan Afghanistan Iran Division of MEA, JP Singh met him in Qatar. Dr Abdullah will meet PM Modi on Thursday and external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar on Friday.

In his first high-level political engagement in Delhi, Chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) Dr Abdullah Abdullah met India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Wednesday evening at the Hyderabad house.

In his first high-level political engagement in Delhi, Chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) Dr Abdullah Abdullah met India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Wednesday evening at the Hyderabad house. Dr Abdullah is the chief Afghan government negotiator for the intra-Afghan talks. During the meeting, Dr Abdullah briefed Doval about the ongoing intra-Afghan talks between Afghan government and the Taliban in Doha, with India reiterating support for an "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, Afghan-controlled" peace process. Calling the talks "constructive", the senior Afghan politician tweeted, "We discussed the Afghan peace process & the talks in Doha. He assured me of India’s full support for the peace efforts, & that any peace settlement acceptable to Afghans, will have the support of India." He said, NSA Doval stated that New Delhi "is in favor an independent, democratic, sovereign & peaceful Afghanistan, where no terrorists can operate" for which he thanked India's "continued support for Afghanistan & its constructive role in peace efforts." Present during the Wednesday meeting were other Afghan dignitaries including Tahir Qadiry, charges d'affaires at the Afghan embassy in Delhi, Mohammad Akram Khpalwak Deputy Chairman of HCNR, Nasrullah Arsalai Senior Adviser & SR of the Chairman for Provincial Affairs, Farida Momand, Member of the Leadership Board of HCNR, Zeya Gul Rezaee Member of the Leadership Board of HCNR, Roz Mohammad Noor Senior Advisor to Chairman HCNR, Amir Mohammad Akhundzada Senior Advisor to Chairman, HCNR, Ahmad Zahir Anwari Special Assistant to Chairman of the HCNR. From the India side CDS Bipin Rawat, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla , Army Chief Gen Naravane, Dy NSA Pankaj Saran, JS PAI Division, JP Singh and other high ranking Indian officials were present. This is the first India visit of Dr Abdullah in his present capacity. Last month when intra-Afghan talks began in Doha, Joint Secretary in the Pakistan Afghanistan Iran Division of MEA, JP Singh met him in Qatar. Dr Abdullah will meet PM Modi on Thursday and external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar on Friday.

In first big engagement in Delhi, Dr Abdullah meets NSA Doval, briefs him about intra-Afghan talks

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged prominent Afghans holding a major meeting Friday to free Taliban prisoners, promising help if the war-torn nation moves forward on peace efforts.

"We acknowledge that the release of these prisoners is unpopular," Pompeo said in a statement.

"But this difficult action will lead to an important result long sought by Afghans and Afghanistan's friends: reduction of violence and direct talks resulting in a peace agreement and an end to the war."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-foreign-minister-says-pakistani-terror-groups-have-symbiotic-relations-with-al-qaeda-is-318709">Also read|&nbsp;Afghan foreign minister says Pakistani terror groups have symbiotic relations with Al Qaeda, IS</a>

In a statement unthinkable after the September 11, 2001 attacks triggered the US invasion, the top US diplomat told Afghan leaders that the Taliban were committed to reducing violence after talks start.

"The United States intends to hold the Taliban to these commitments," Pompeo said.

The Taliban are demanding the release of 400 prisoners -- many accused of serious offenses, with more than 150 on death row -- as a condition to start peace talks with the internationally recognized government in Kabul.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-10-taliban-terrorists-killed-as-clashes-resume-post-eid-ceasefire-318642">Also read|&nbsp;Afghanistan: 10 Taliban terrorists killed as clashes resume post Eid ceasefire</a>

President Ashraf Ghani deferred the decision on whether to release these inmates to a loya jirga -- a traditional Afghan meeting of tribal elders and other stakeholders.

President Donald Trump's administration is eager to wind down America's longest war and showcase a foreign policy success ahead of November elections.

The United States on February 29 signed a deal with the Taliban under which all US troops would leave by mid-2021.

Pompeo vowed that the United States would maintain support for Afghanistan.

"We are ready to support a peace settlement, including by extending US development programs to previously underserved areas," Pompeo said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged prominent Afghans holding a major meeting Friday to free Taliban prisoners, promising help if the war-torn nation moves forward on peace efforts.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged prominent Afghans holding a major meeting Friday to free Taliban prisoners, promising help if the war-torn nation moves forward on peace efforts. "We acknowledge that the release of these prisoners is unpopular," Pompeo said in a statement. "But this difficult action will lead to an important result long sought by Afghans and Afghanistan's friends: reduction of violence and direct talks resulting in a peace agreement and an end to the war." Also read| Afghan foreign minister says Pakistani terror groups have symbiotic relations with Al Qaeda, IS In a statement unthinkable after the September 11, 2001 attacks triggered the US invasion, the top US diplomat told Afghan leaders that the Taliban were committed to reducing violence after talks start. "The United States intends to hold the Taliban to these commitments," Pompeo said. The Taliban are demanding the release of 400 prisoners -- many accused of serious offenses, with more than 150 on death row -- as a condition to start peace talks with the internationally recognized government in Kabul. Also read| Afghanistan: 10 Taliban terrorists killed as clashes resume post Eid ceasefire President Ashraf Ghani deferred the decision on whether to release these inmates to a loya jirga -- a traditional Afghan meeting of tribal elders and other stakeholders. President Donald Trump's administration is eager to wind down America's longest war and showcase a foreign policy success ahead of November elections. The United States on February 29 signed a deal with the Taliban under which all US troops would leave by mid-2021. Pompeo vowed that the United States would maintain support for Afghanistan. "We are ready to support a peace settlement, including by extending US development programs to previously underserved areas," Pompeo said.

Pompeo urges key Afghan gathering to free Taliban prisoners

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trump-to-visit-pakistan-soon-says-foreign-minister-shah-mahmood-qureshi-275970">Donald Trump</a> told Afghan counterpart, Ashraf Ghani, on Wednesday said he wants to see a "significant" drop in violence by Taliban guerrillas before "meaningful" negotiations can happen.

At the meeting of the two presidents in Davos, Switzerland, "President Trump reiterated the need for a significant and lasting reduction in violence by the Taliban that would facilitate meaningful negotiations on Afghanistan’s future", the White House said.

Washington has for weeks been calling for the violence to be reined in, posing it as a condition for resuming formal negotiations on an agreement that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees, after a near two-decade fight.

Insurgent sources told AFP last week they had offered to initiate a brief ceasefire of seven to 18 days, but there was no announcement of the proposal by either party.

The Taliban are aiming to reach a withdrawal agreement with the US by the end of January and are prepared to "scale down" military operations ahead of signing a deal, their chief spokesman said this week.

The two sides had been negotiating the deal for a year and were on the brink of an announcement in September 2019 when Trump abruptly declared the process "dead", citing Taliban violence.

Talks were later restarted in December in Qatar but paused again following an attack near the Usw-run Bagram military base in Afghanistan.

Any agreement with the Taliban is expected to have two pillars -- a US withdrawal from Afghanistan and a commitment by the insurgents not to offer sanctuary to jihadists. It would ultimately have to win final approval from Trump.

US President Donald Trump told Afghan counterpart, Ashraf Ghani, on Wednesday said he wants to see a "significant" drop in violence by Taliban guerrillas before "meaningful" negotiations can happen.

US President Donald Trump told Afghan counterpart, Ashraf Ghani, on Wednesday said he wants to see a "significant" drop in violence by Taliban guerrillas before "meaningful" negotiations can happen. At the meeting of the two presidents in Davos, Switzerland, "President Trump reiterated the need for a significant and lasting reduction in violence by the Taliban that would facilitate meaningful negotiations on Afghanistan’s future", the White House said. Washington has for weeks been calling for the violence to be reined in, posing it as a condition for resuming formal negotiations on an agreement that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees, after a near two-decade fight. Insurgent sources told AFP last week they had offered to initiate a brief ceasefire of seven to 18 days, but there was no announcement of the proposal by either party. The Taliban are aiming to reach a withdrawal agreement with the US by the end of January and are prepared to "scale down" military operations ahead of signing a deal, their chief spokesman said this week. The two sides had been negotiating the deal for a year and were on the brink of an announcement in September 2019 when Trump abruptly declared the process "dead", citing Taliban violence. Talks were later restarted in December in Qatar but paused again following an attack near the Usw-run Bagram military base in Afghanistan. Any agreement with the Taliban is expected to have two pillars -- a US withdrawal from Afghanistan and a commitment by the insurgents not to offer sanctuary to jihadists. It would ultimately have to win final approval from Trump.

Trump wants 'significant' drop in Taliban violence for Afghan talks

U.S department says that Pakistan failed to curb terror funding.

U.S. calls out Pakistan's double standards on Afghan Talks

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-government-says-real-peace-will-come-when-taliban-stop-violence-hold-direct-talks-248392">Taliban</a> said the US "will be harmed more than anyone" but left the door open for future negotiations Sunday after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghanistan-donald-trump-calls-off-peace-talks-secret-summit-with-taliban-over-terror-attacks-248340">President Donald Trump</a> abruptly announced that he had called off year-long talks to end America's longest war.

"We still... believe that the American side will come back to this position... Our fight for the past 18 years should have proven to the Americans that we will not be satisfied until we witness the complete end of the occupation," the group said in a statement released on Twitter by spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

The statement said the insurgents had "finalised" a deal with the US that had been expected to allow Washington to begin withdrawing troops in exchange for security promises from the Taliban.

It added that both sides had been preparing for the deal to be announced and signed when Trump tweeted late Saturday that he had "called off peace negotiations".

Trump had cited a Taliban attack in Kabul on Thursday which killed 12 people including a US soldier as his reason for calling off the talks, including a secret meeting with the insurgents at Camp David in Maryland planned for this weekend.&nbsp;

But the Taliban dismissed his reasoning in their statement, saying it showed "neither experience nor patience", and accused the US of killing "hundreds of Afghans" in the fighting.&nbsp;

"Americans will be harmed more than any other," by Trump's decision, the statement said, adding that the US's "credibility will be harmed, their anti-peace stance will become more visible to the world, their casualties and financial losses will increase, and the US role in international political interaction will be discredited even further."

The Taliban said the US "will be harmed more than anyone" but left the door open for future negotiations Sunday after President Donald Trump abruptly announced that he had called off year-long talks to end America's longest war.

The Taliban said the US "will be harmed more than anyone" but left the door open for future negotiations Sunday after President Donald Trump abruptly announced that he had called off year-long talks to end America's longest war. "We still... believe that the American side will come back to this position... Our fight for the past 18 years should have proven to the Americans that we will not be satisfied until we witness the complete end of the occupation," the group said in a statement released on Twitter by spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. The statement said the insurgents had "finalised" a deal with the US that had been expected to allow Washington to begin withdrawing troops in exchange for security promises from the Taliban. It added that both sides had been preparing for the deal to be announced and signed when Trump tweeted late Saturday that he had "called off peace negotiations". Trump had cited a Taliban attack in Kabul on Thursday which killed 12 people including a US soldier as his reason for calling off the talks, including a secret meeting with the insurgents at Camp David in Maryland planned for this weekend. But the Taliban dismissed his reasoning in their statement, saying it showed "neither experience nor patience", and accused the US of killing "hundreds of Afghans" in the fighting. "Americans will be harmed more than any other," by Trump's decision, the statement said, adding that the US's "credibility will be harmed, their anti-peace stance will become more visible to the world, their casualties and financial losses will increase, and the US role in international political interaction will be discredited even further."

Taliban say US 'will be harmed more than anyone' after Trump halts talks

Russia, U.S, China, Pak come together on Taliban. 4 nations issue statement on Afghan talks. India left out of the negotiating table. Pakistan gains a good round on the Taliban. India wants Kabul elections to be held on time. Watch this video to know more.

India Sidelined In Afghan Talks?

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