American troops will leave Afghanistan by September 11. Where does that leave the peace deal? What about the role of Afghanistan's democratically elected government? What does the future hold for the people of Afghanistan? Palki Sharma Upadhyay put these questions to 3 key stakeholders: - India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar - Iran's Minister Of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif - Afghanistan's National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib

Gravitas: Is Afghanistan ready for America's exit?

The Afghanistan government believes that it can hold its ground without the help of foreign forces.&nbsp;

But the question is what about the Taliban?

Is it prepared to participate in a democratic process?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-afghanistan-ready-for-americas-exit-378068/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Would it agree to share power in the republic of Afghanistan? Or does it still insist on leading an Islamic Emirate?

We asked Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif about this.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-indian-nsas-speak-in-the-backdrop-of-bidens-announcement-of-troop-withdrawal-377984">Afghan, Indian NSAs speak in the backdrop of Biden's announcement of troop withdrawal</a>

He mentioned of the threat of violence. Because the risk of an escalation is real.

The Taliban has promised fresh attacks If the foreign forces don't meet the deadline to withdraw.&nbsp;

Is the Taliban just waiting for the Americans to leave before it makes its first moves?

Afghanistan feels that would be a mistake.

Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib said that there has been "no change in the Taliban".

The world saw a Taliban regime more than 20 years ago and it's a different world now.

Is it also a different Taliban? Is it more in tune with the times?

Iran does not believe this as Zarif said the Taliban wants to take Afghanistan back to the 90s.

Has the Taliban not changed?

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was guarded in his response.

He did say very clearly that Afghanistan has certainly changed.

And that any agreement made now should not undo the gains made in the past. 
&nbsp;

The Afghanistan government believes that it can hold its ground without the help of foreign forces. But the question is what about the Taliban? Is it prepared to participate in a democratic process?

The Afghanistan government believes that it can hold its ground without the help of foreign forces. But the question is what about the Taliban? Is it prepared to participate in a democratic process? × Would it agree to share power in the republic of Afghanistan? Or does it still insist on leading an Islamic Emirate? We asked Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif about this. Also read | Afghan, Indian NSAs speak in the backdrop of Biden's announcement of troop withdrawal He mentioned of the threat of violence. Because the risk of an escalation is real. The Taliban has promised fresh attacks If the foreign forces don't meet the deadline to withdraw. Is the Taliban just waiting for the Americans to leave before it makes its first moves? Afghanistan feels that would be a mistake. Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib said that there has been "no change in the Taliban". The world saw a Taliban regime more than 20 years ago and it's a different world now. Is it also a different Taliban? Is it more in tune with the times? Iran does not believe this as Zarif said the Taliban wants to take Afghanistan back to the 90s. Has the Taliban not changed? India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was guarded in his response. He did say very clearly that Afghanistan has certainly changed. And that any agreement made now should not undo the gains made in the past.

Has Taliban really changed?

India likes to see a transition in Afghanistan that is "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled".&nbsp;

The question is: How will New Delhi enable that?

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-how-should-india-engage-with-the-taliban-378058/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

The answer to this is: by engaging constructively.

The Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib told us this morning he had a conversation with India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/has-taliban-really-changed-378054">Has Taliban really changed?</a>

India's stakes are high and External Affair Minister S Jaishankar shared with us that India is running development projects in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.

However, New Delhi's approach has met with criticism too.

In a conversation at Stanford University this week, former US National Security Adviser HR McMaster spoke about the fears of Pakistan.

He spoke about how Islamabad needs to maintain influence in Afghanistan because it fears a strategic encirclement by India.

Jaishankar said there is an attempt to create a misleading narrative around New Delhi's assistance to Afghanistan.

"Look at our record," Jaishankar said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

India likes to see a transition in Afghanistan that is "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled". The question is: How will New Delhi enable that? Watch | The answer to this is: by engaging constructively.

India likes to see a transition in Afghanistan that is "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled". The question is: How will New Delhi enable that? Watch | The answer to this is: by engaging constructively. The Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib told us this morning he had a conversation with India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Also read | Has Taliban really changed? India's stakes are high and External Affair Minister S Jaishankar shared with us that India is running development projects in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. However, New Delhi's approach has met with criticism too. In a conversation at Stanford University this week, former US National Security Adviser HR McMaster spoke about the fears of Pakistan. He spoke about how Islamabad needs to maintain influence in Afghanistan because it fears a strategic encirclement by India. Jaishankar said there is an attempt to create a misleading narrative around New Delhi's assistance to Afghanistan. "Look at our record," Jaishankar said.

Decoding India's role as Afghanistan set to begin a new chapter

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken flew to Kabul on Thursday, a day after attending a NATO meeting in Brussels, to show support following Joe Biden's announcement of the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.

Blinken flies to Afghanistan in show of support after Biden announces troops withdrawal

US President Joe Biden has decided to withdraw all the remaining American troops from Afghanistan by the September 11. The United States will not be meeting the original deadline of May 1 which was set by the Trump administration.

Biden announces to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by September 11

Antony Blinken makes unannounced visit to Afghanistan

Backing India-developed Chabahar port's role as central to "development and prosperity" in the region, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has said that the port is not against China or Pakistan's port Gwadar.

Gwadar is key to China's mega infrastructure project the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and provides connectivity to China's westernmost region to the Arabian Sea and West Asia. Gwadar is just 170 km away from Chabahar port.

Zarif, speaking at a virtual event, said, "We have made very clear to our Indian, Chinese friends that Chabahar is open for cooperation for everybody. Chabahar is not against China, is not against Gwadar. Chabahar is a place where we can all come together in order to help Afghanistan, help development and prosperity in the region."

He explained, "India is playing an active role in Chabahar. Chinese are interested in playing an active role elsewhere in Iran and also in Chabahar".

New Delhi is helping develop the Iranian port which has been playing an important role in connecting India with Afghanistan. Last year, India sent 75000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan via the port to deal with any food scarcity that arose from the pandemic.&nbsp;

Highlighting the benefits of the port to Afghanistan, the Iranian foreign minister said, "If we provide Afghanistan transit opportunities through Chabahar, through elsewhere, to the international market...the unofficial economy will go away. That economy gives rise to drug trafficking, human trafficking."

Earlier this year, India sent four cranes for the port operations. Two more will be sent soon. The port is getting more interest, especially from central Asian countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.&nbsp;

On the Afghan peace process and the issue of terror, the Iranian foreign minister said, "All of us have shared interest, share threats in Afghanistan. I think all of us need a stable and peaceful Afghanistan. An Afghanistan where terrorists have the freedom to operate is a threat to Iran, India, Pakistan, China, Central Asia, Russia, and a threat to the world. We have seen that in 2001, we have seen that in the murder of PM Benazir Bhutto".

Iran has been engaging with the Taliban in the Afghan peace process. &nbsp;On the Taliban, and its role in the peace process,, Zarif said, "An Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan is an existential threat to Pakistan, national security threat to Iran and India. We have a similar area of common interest with our Pakistani friends, similarly with Tajik, Uzbek friends who are threatened by extremism."

He pointed that Tehran has had a "frank and open discussion with the Taliban" and his govt has told them that "it is a very different society, the different situation...we need to preserve what was achieved in Afghanistan, we cannot create a vacuum".

"A vacuum doesn't help the people of Afghanistan, it only draws in fighting, violence, civil war. We need to have a continuity," he added.

Backing India-developed Chabahar port's role as central to "development and prosperity" in the region, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has said that the port is not against China or Pakistan's port Gwadar.

Backing India-developed Chabahar port's role as central to "development and prosperity" in the region, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has said that the port is not against China or Pakistan's port Gwadar. Gwadar is key to China's mega infrastructure project the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and provides connectivity to China's westernmost region to the Arabian Sea and West Asia. Gwadar is just 170 km away from Chabahar port. Zarif, speaking at a virtual event, said, "We have made very clear to our Indian, Chinese friends that Chabahar is open for cooperation for everybody. Chabahar is not against China, is not against Gwadar. Chabahar is a place where we can all come together in order to help Afghanistan, help development and prosperity in the region." He explained, "India is playing an active role in Chabahar. Chinese are interested in playing an active role elsewhere in Iran and also in Chabahar". New Delhi is helping develop the Iranian port which has been playing an important role in connecting India with Afghanistan. Last year, India sent 75000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan via the port to deal with any food scarcity that arose from the pandemic. Highlighting the benefits of the port to Afghanistan, the Iranian foreign minister said, "If we provide Afghanistan transit opportunities through Chabahar, through elsewhere, to the international market...the unofficial economy will go away. That economy gives rise to drug trafficking, human trafficking." Earlier this year, India sent four cranes for the port operations. Two more will be sent soon. The port is getting more interest, especially from central Asian countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. On the Afghan peace process and the issue of terror, the Iranian foreign minister said, "All of us have shared interest, share threats in Afghanistan. I think all of us need a stable and peaceful Afghanistan. An Afghanistan where terrorists have the freedom to operate is a threat to Iran, India, Pakistan, China, Central Asia, Russia, and a threat to the world. We have seen that in 2001, we have seen that in the murder of PM Benazir Bhutto". Iran has been engaging with the Taliban in the Afghan peace process. On the Taliban, and its role in the peace process,, Zarif said, "An Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan is an existential threat to Pakistan, national security threat to Iran and India. We have a similar area of common interest with our Pakistani friends, similarly with Tajik, Uzbek friends who are threatened by extremism." He pointed that Tehran has had a "frank and open discussion with the Taliban" and his govt has told them that "it is a very different society, the different situation...we need to preserve what was achieved in Afghanistan, we cannot create a vacuum". "A vacuum doesn't help the people of Afghanistan, it only draws in fighting, violence, civil war. We need to have a continuity," he added.

Chabahar is not against China, Gwadar: Iranian foreign minister 

Against the backdrop of US President Joe Biden's announcement of the withdrawal of American troops, Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib and India's NSA Ajit Doval spoke on Friday morning. This is the first-ever high-level engagement between the two sides and comes just two days after the announcement came from Washington.

Mohib, speaking at an event virtually, confirmed the call and said, "I spoke to Ajit Doval this morning about our views and shared what we think should go and happen".

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-troops-in-afghanistan-the-20-year-war-377951/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

India supports "Afghan-led , Afghan-owned, and Afghan controlled" peace process. In the last two decades, since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in New York, New Delhi had emerged as the country's major development partner.&nbsp;

The Afghan NSA, speaking at the event, slammed Pakistan for its support to the Taliban. Without taking the country by name, he pointed out, "any further push means that there is direct involvement in, by a neighbour which can be very dangerous. Nationalistic forces in Afghanistan are very angry, upset over this."

Warning that If this "limit is passed, then I think, there would be a huge problem for the said neighbour in their country by all Afghans who are there and from within Afghanistan. There could be huge blowback which can be destructive for the neighbour".

In the past, Taliban top leadership like Mullah Baradar have been coming to Pakistan, and not only holding a meeting with foreign minister Qureshi and Pakistani Prime minister Imran Khan but also their fighters in the country. This has irked the Afghan government, which has strongly raised the matter with Islamabad.

On Taliban, he said, "Taliban has no reason to continue violence in Afghanistan, the reason, why they continued, are totally out the picture and its time they make real peace with Afghan govt, become part of the mainstream political society".

"They need to know, they can't take power by force, they can start a civil war but not come to power through that."

He expressed confidence in the capabilities of Afghan National Defense and Security Force (ANDSAF).

He said, "I see it as a time where Afghan take care of the full security situation in our country...Afghanistan doesn't need US combat troops on the ground, what we need is support to ANDSAF, which we have been told will continue."&nbsp;

Since 2014, ANDSAF has been in charge, and since the US Taliban pact of last year, 94 per cent&nbsp;of combat offensive operations have been done by them independently.

Dismissing the parallels in Afghanistan when it comes to the 1990s, Mohib said, "Afghanistan is not what it was, but one thing is for certain, those parallels do not reflect the realities of Afghanistan".

Against the backdrop of US President Joe Biden's announcement of the withdrawal of American troops, Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib and India's NSA Ajit Doval spoke on Friday morning.

Against the backdrop of US President Joe Biden's announcement of the withdrawal of American troops, Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib and India's NSA Ajit Doval spoke on Friday morning. This is the first-ever high-level engagement between the two sides and comes just two days after the announcement came from Washington. Mohib, speaking at an event virtually, confirmed the call and said, "I spoke to Ajit Doval this morning about our views and shared what we think should go and happen". Watch | India supports "Afghan-led , Afghan-owned, and Afghan controlled" peace process. In the last two decades, since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in New York, New Delhi had emerged as the country's major development partner. The Afghan NSA, speaking at the event, slammed Pakistan for its support to the Taliban. Without taking the country by name, he pointed out, "any further push means that there is direct involvement in, by a neighbour which can be very dangerous. Nationalistic forces in Afghanistan are very angry, upset over this." Warning that If this "limit is passed, then I think, there would be a huge problem for the said neighbour in their country by all Afghans who are there and from within Afghanistan. There could be huge blowback which can be destructive for the neighbour". In the past, Taliban top leadership like Mullah Baradar have been coming to Pakistan, and not only holding a meeting with foreign minister Qureshi and Pakistani Prime minister Imran Khan but also their fighters in the country. This has irked the Afghan government, which has strongly raised the matter with Islamabad. On Taliban, he said, "Taliban has no reason to continue violence in Afghanistan, the reason, why they continued, are totally out the picture and its time they make real peace with Afghan govt, become part of the mainstream political society". "They need to know, they can't take power by force, they can start a civil war but not come to power through that." He expressed confidence in the capabilities of Afghan National Defense and Security Force (ANDSAF). He said, "I see it as a time where Afghan take care of the full security situation in our country...Afghanistan doesn't need US combat troops on the ground, what we need is support to ANDSAF, which we have been told will continue." Since 2014, ANDSAF has been in charge, and since the US Taliban pact of last year, 94 per cent of combat offensive operations have been done by them independently. Dismissing the parallels in Afghanistan when it comes to the 1990s, Mohib said, "Afghanistan is not what it was, but one thing is for certain, those parallels do not reflect the realities of Afghanistan".

Afghan, Indian NSAs speak in the backdrop of Biden's announcement of troop withdrawal 

Taliban on Thursday accused the US of breaching Doha peace agreement by skipping May 1 as the deadline for full withdrawal of American troops from the country, said Tolo News.

In a statement cited by Tolo News, Taliban warned the US of "consequences" and said that US would be "responsible" for all "countermeasures" taken by "Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate".

USA had earlier announced that all troops would be withdrawn by May 1 this year but high-level officials within the US government have been quoted to suggest that the withdrawal will be complete by September 11, the 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacks this year.

The Taliban has reportedly used very strong words in their statement.&nbsp;

“As this agreement was signed in the presence of United Nations and representatives of numerous world countries and organisations, and is currently being breached by America, it is imperative that all countries and organisations that were witnesses to the signing of this agreement exert pressure on America to implement its commitments and withdraw all forces from Afghanistan by the specified date,” said Taliban.

“Now as the agreement is being breached by America, it in principle opens the way for the Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate to take every necessary countermeasure, hence the American side will be held responsible for all future consequences, and not the Islamic Emirate,” read Taliban's statement.

Blinken in Afghanistan

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan.

Blinken met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as well as senior US officials in Kabul and brief them on President Joe Biden’s Wednesday announcement he was ending "the forever war", which began in response to the 2001 September 11 attacks.

"I wanted to demonstrate with my visit the ongoing commitment of the United States to the Islamic Republic and the people of Afghanistan," Blinken said after meeting Ghani.

"The partnership is changing, but the partnership is enduring."

(With inputs from agencies)

Taliban on Thursday accused the US of breaching Doha peace agreement by skipping May 1 as the deadline for full withdrawal of American troops from the country, said Tolo News.

Taliban on Thursday accused the US of breaching Doha peace agreement by skipping May 1 as the deadline for full withdrawal of American troops from the country, said Tolo News. In a statement cited by Tolo News, Taliban warned the US of "consequences" and said that US would be "responsible" for all "countermeasures" taken by "Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate". USA had earlier announced that all troops would be withdrawn by May 1 this year but high-level officials within the US government have been quoted to suggest that the withdrawal will be complete by September 11, the 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacks this year. The Taliban has reportedly used very strong words in their statement. “As this agreement was signed in the presence of United Nations and representatives of numerous world countries and organisations, and is currently being breached by America, it is imperative that all countries and organisations that were witnesses to the signing of this agreement exert pressure on America to implement its commitments and withdraw all forces from Afghanistan by the specified date,” said Taliban. “Now as the agreement is being breached by America, it in principle opens the way for the Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate to take every necessary countermeasure, hence the American side will be held responsible for all future consequences, and not the Islamic Emirate,” read Taliban's statement. Blinken in Afghanistan On Thursday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan. Blinken met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as well as senior US officials in Kabul and brief them on President Joe Biden’s Wednesday announcement he was ending "the forever war", which began in response to the 2001 September 11 attacks. "I wanted to demonstrate with my visit the ongoing commitment of the United States to the Islamic Republic and the people of Afghanistan," Blinken said after meeting Ghani. "The partnership is changing, but the partnership is enduring." (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban warns US of 'countermeasures': Report

After a campaign of 20 years, US is withdrawing its remaining troops from Afghanistan. The war has killed more than 2,400 US service members and wounded more than 20,000. More than 100,000 Afghan civilians are estimated to have died. Watch the video for a timeline.

US troops in Afghanistan: The 20-year war

The Chinese&nbsp;government on Thursday said that currently the security situation in Afghanistan remains complicated and grave and terrorism is far from being eradicated.

Voicing concern over America's decision to withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan by September, China said that Washington should accommodate legitimate security concerns of the regional countries to prevent “terrorist forces” from taking advantage of the chaos in the war-torn country.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian also criticised Washington for linking the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan to focus more on the threats posed by China, saying the fight against terrorism is in the common interest of all parties, including the two countries.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he would withdraw all remaining US troops – about 2,500 – from Afghanistan by September 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack in New York.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he would withdraw all remaining US troops – about 2,500 – from Afghanistan by September 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack in New York." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">×</a></div>
</div>
</div>

"The current security situation in Afghanistan is still complex and grim and the problem of terrorism is far from being solved. Foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan should withdraw in a responsible and orderly manner to ensure a smooth transition in Afghanistan and to avoid terrorist forces from taking advantage of the chaos," Zhao Lijian said at a media briefing while responding to questions on US troops pullout plan.

"The US is the biggest external factor affecting the issue of Afghanistan... It must take full responsibility for preserving the outcomes of Afghanistan's peaceful construction and reconstruction and accommodate legitimate security concerns of the countries in the region," he said.

To a question that the US is linking its troops' withdrawal to focus on China, Mr Zhao said, "The US side links its withdrawal from Afghanistan to China's challenge."

"This reflects deep-rooted zero-sum mindset from the Cold War which is detrimental to mutual trust between the two countries and it is not conducive to cooperation and coordination on international and regional issues."

"We have to emphasise that the political solution to Afghanistan and early realisation of peace and stability in the country and the fight against terrorism are in the common interest of all parties concerned, including China and the US and are also common aspiration of the international community," he said.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has said that the US "will begin an orderly drawdown of the remaining forces before May 1 and plan to have all US troops out of the country before the 20th anniversary of 9/11."

Later US President Joe Biden said, "It is time to end America's longest war. It is time for American troops to come home."

Mr Zhao also said China will attend the UN conference on Afghanistan scheduled to be held in Istanbul from April 20 to May 4 to find a peaceful solution to Afghanistan's civil strife.

Observers say that the US' latest plan to speed up the withdrawal of more troops from Afghanistan may have troubling consequences for China.

China, whose volatile Xinjiang province shares a border with Afghanistan, has been expressing concern over the US troops withdrawal despite its current round of tensions with Washington on a host of issues including, the US claiming genocide by China against Muslim Uygurs in Xinjiang.

China has been refuting allegations of mass detention camps and other gross human rights violations against Uygurs Muslims.

The previous Trump administration had lifted the ban on the separatist East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a Uighur terror outfit.

The ETIM was designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN's 1267 counter-terrorism committee in 2002 for its alleged association with Al Qaeda, the then Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and the Taliban.

Despite its all-weather ties with Pakistan, which holds a strong control over the Taliban as it operates from the Pakistani territory, China's concerns stem from the reports of regrouping of hundreds of Uygur groups who worked with terror group ISIS in Syria and Afghanistan to stage attacks in Xinjiang. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Chinese government on Thursday said that currently the security situation in Afghanistan remains complicated and grave and terrorism is far from being eradicated.

The Chinese government on Thursday said that currently the security situation in Afghanistan remains complicated and grave and terrorism is far from being eradicated. Voicing concern over America's decision to withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan by September, China said that Washington should accommodate legitimate security concerns of the regional countries to prevent “terrorist forces” from taking advantage of the chaos in the war-torn country. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian also criticised Washington for linking the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan to focus more on the threats posed by China, saying the fight against terrorism is in the common interest of all parties, including the two countries. US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he would withdraw all remaining US troops – about 2,500 – from Afghanistan by September 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack in New York. × "The current security situation in Afghanistan is still complex and grim and the problem of terrorism is far from being solved. Foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan should withdraw in a responsible and orderly manner to ensure a smooth transition in Afghanistan and to avoid terrorist forces from taking advantage of the chaos," Zhao Lijian said at a media briefing while responding to questions on US troops pullout plan. "The US is the biggest external factor affecting the issue of Afghanistan... It must take full responsibility for preserving the outcomes of Afghanistan's peaceful construction and reconstruction and accommodate legitimate security concerns of the countries in the region," he said. To a question that the US is linking its troops' withdrawal to focus on China, Mr Zhao said, "The US side links its withdrawal from Afghanistan to China's challenge." "This reflects deep-rooted zero-sum mindset from the Cold War which is detrimental to mutual trust between the two countries and it is not conducive to cooperation and coordination on international and regional issues." "We have to emphasise that the political solution to Afghanistan and early realisation of peace and stability in the country and the fight against terrorism are in the common interest of all parties concerned, including China and the US and are also common aspiration of the international community," he said. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has said that the US "will begin an orderly drawdown of the remaining forces before May 1 and plan to have all US troops out of the country before the 20th anniversary of 9/11." Later US President Joe Biden said, "It is time to end America's longest war. It is time for American troops to come home." Mr Zhao also said China will attend the UN conference on Afghanistan scheduled to be held in Istanbul from April 20 to May 4 to find a peaceful solution to Afghanistan's civil strife. Observers say that the US' latest plan to speed up the withdrawal of more troops from Afghanistan may have troubling consequences for China. China, whose volatile Xinjiang province shares a border with Afghanistan, has been expressing concern over the US troops withdrawal despite its current round of tensions with Washington on a host of issues including, the US claiming genocide by China against Muslim Uygurs in Xinjiang. China has been refuting allegations of mass detention camps and other gross human rights violations against Uygurs Muslims. The previous Trump administration had lifted the ban on the separatist East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a Uighur terror outfit. The ETIM was designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN's 1267 counter-terrorism committee in 2002 for its alleged association with Al Qaeda, the then Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and the Taliban. Despite its all-weather ties with Pakistan, which holds a strong control over the Taliban as it operates from the Pakistani territory, China's concerns stem from the reports of regrouping of hundreds of Uygur groups who worked with terror group ISIS in Syria and Afghanistan to stage attacks in Xinjiang. (With inputs from agencies)

'Terrorism far from over', says China about US troop pullout plan from Afghanistan

The White House on Thursday said that the United States has the ability to keep an eye on any resurgence of al Qaeda in Afghanistan without keeping a military footprint there a day after US&nbsp;President Joe Biden said that he was pulling out U.S. forces after nearly 20 years of war.

"We believe we have the means to keep our eye on any terrorist threats or any sign of al Qaeda's resurgence without having a persistent footprint on the ground," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. 
&nbsp;

The White House on Thursday said that the United States has the ability to keep an eye on any resurgence of al Qaeda in Afghanistan without keeping a military footprint there a day after US President Joe Biden said that he was pulling out U.

The White House on Thursday said that the United States has the ability to keep an eye on any resurgence of al Qaeda in Afghanistan without keeping a military footprint there a day after US President Joe Biden said that he was pulling out U.S. forces after nearly 20 years of war. "We believe we have the means to keep our eye on any terrorist threats or any sign of al Qaeda's resurgence without having a persistent footprint on the ground," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.

US has ability to keep eye on any resurgence of al Qaeda in Afghanistan: White House

US to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by September 11, extending May 1 deadline

US President Joe Biden has announced that all American troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September 11 this year, thus bringing to an end the country’s longest war, spanning across two decades.

“US troops, as well as forces deployed by our NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Allies and operational partners, will be out of Afghanistan before we mark the 20th anniversary of that heinous attack on September 11 (2001),” Biden said during a televised address to the nation from the White House Wednesday.

He said his administration would remain alert to the threat of terrorism.

“We’ll reorganise our counterterrorism capabilities and the substantial assets in the region to prevent re-emergence of terrorists, of the threat to our homeland from over the horizon. We’ll hold the Taliban accountable for its commitment not to allow any terrorists to threaten the United States or its allies from Afghan soil. The Afghan government has made that commitment to us as well. And we’ll focus our full attention on the threat we face today,” Biden said.

He said his team is refining national strategy to monitor and disrupt significant terrorist threats not only in Afghanistan, but anywhere they may arise — Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere.

It’s time for American troops to come home, Biden said.

“The United States will begin our final withdrawal — begin it on May 1 of this year. We will not conduct a hasty rush to the exit. We’ll do it responsibly, deliberately, and safely. And we will do it in full coordination with our allies and partners, who now have more forces in Afghanistan than we do,” he said.

“The Taliban should know that if they attack us as we drawdown, we will defend ourselves and our partners with all the tools at our disposal,” he said.

Before making the announcement, Biden had spoken with former US presidents Barack Obama and George Bush.

“President Biden has made the right decision in completing the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan,” Obama said in a statement later.

Concerns for India

In the aftermath of the US and NATO withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, however, India will have a tremendous concern about the resurgence of the Taliban and its territory being used as a haven for terrorist, experts said.

“Regional countries, especially India, will have tremendous concerns about the US pullout from Afghanistan and the likelihood of a Taliban resurgence in the country, Lisa Curtis, who was Deputy Assistant to the President and NSC Senior Director for South and Central Asia from 2017-2021 under the previous Donald Trump administration told PTI.

When the Taliban controlled Afghanistan in the late 1990s, they welcomed militants and terrorists of all stripes to train, recruit, and fundraise from Afghanistan. Many of those militants, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, trained for operations in India, such as the 2001 attack on the Indian parliament, Curtis said.

An eminent foreign policy and national security expert with over 20 years of service in the US government, Curtis now is a senior fellow and director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) think-tank.

Indian officials also remember the close cooperation between the Taliban and militants who in December 1999 hijacked an Indian airliner. India may seek to use its role in regional efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan, like the recent UN effort, to press its goal of ensuring Afghan territory cannot be used by anti-India militants, Curtis said.

India will worry about Taliban controlled territory being a haven for terrorists again, former Pakistan Ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, who is now Director for South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute think-tank told PTI.

The real question now is whether after withdrawing its troops, the US will continue to help the Kabul government and will the Afghan people be able to keep the Taliban at bay, Haqqani said.

The Taliban have shown no interest in peace and the Doha process only reinforced their belief that the US eagerness to leave Afghanistan outweighed its concerns about that country’s future.

India and Pakistan do not have the luxury of distance that the U.S. has and will remain involved in Afghanistan. Pakistan is too deeply tied to the Taliban to stop supporting them now though it should be concerned about the adverse impact Taliban ideology would further have on Pakistan, Haqqani said in response to a question.

The Washington Post in a lead editorial asserted that the plans of Biden to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan will lead to disaster in the region.

“Mr Biden has chosen the easy way out of Afghanistan, but the consequences are likely to be ugly, The Washington Post said.

The New York Times said that stopping terrorism groups over the long term could be harder, an opinion also echoed by The Wall Street Journal.

The symbolic but arbitrary date shows the decision is driven less by facts on the ground than a political desire that is also a strategic gamble. History suggests US interests will suffer, The Wall Street Journal said in an editorial.

The president’s exit means he will have to take responsibility for what happens next. We hope it doesn’t betray the great sacrifices so many have made, the daily said.

The US and the Taliban signed a landmark deal in Doha on February 29, 2020, to bring lasting peace in war-torn Afghanistan and allow US troops to return home from America’s longest war.

Under the US-Taliban pact signed in Doha, the US agreed to withdraw all its soldiers from Afghanistan in 14 months.

Since the US-led invasion that ousted the Taliban after the September 11, 2001 attacks, America has spent more than USD 1 trillion in fighting and rebuilding in Afghanistan.

About 2,400 US soldiers have been killed, along with tens of thousands of Afghan troops, Taliban insurgents and Afghan civilians.

US President Joe Biden has announced that all American troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September 11 this year, thus bringing to an end the country’s longest war, spanning across two decades.

US President Joe Biden has announced that all American troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September 11 this year, thus bringing to an end the country’s longest war, spanning across two decades. “US troops, as well as forces deployed by our NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Allies and operational partners, will be out of Afghanistan before we mark the 20th anniversary of that heinous attack on September 11 (2001),” Biden said during a televised address to the nation from the White House Wednesday. He said his administration would remain alert to the threat of terrorism. “We’ll reorganise our counterterrorism capabilities and the substantial assets in the region to prevent re-emergence of terrorists, of the threat to our homeland from over the horizon. We’ll hold the Taliban accountable for its commitment not to allow any terrorists to threaten the United States or its allies from Afghan soil. The Afghan government has made that commitment to us as well. And we’ll focus our full attention on the threat we face today,” Biden said. He said his team is refining national strategy to monitor and disrupt significant terrorist threats not only in Afghanistan, but anywhere they may arise — Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere. It’s time for American troops to come home, Biden said. “The United States will begin our final withdrawal — begin it on May 1 of this year. We will not conduct a hasty rush to the exit. We’ll do it responsibly, deliberately, and safely. And we will do it in full coordination with our allies and partners, who now have more forces in Afghanistan than we do,” he said. “The Taliban should know that if they attack us as we drawdown, we will defend ourselves and our partners with all the tools at our disposal,” he said. Before making the announcement, Biden had spoken with former US presidents Barack Obama and George Bush. “President Biden has made the right decision in completing the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan,” Obama said in a statement later. Concerns for India In the aftermath of the US and NATO withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, however, India will have a tremendous concern about the resurgence of the Taliban and its territory being used as a haven for terrorist, experts said. “Regional countries, especially India, will have tremendous concerns about the US pullout from Afghanistan and the likelihood of a Taliban resurgence in the country, Lisa Curtis, who was Deputy Assistant to the President and NSC Senior Director for South and Central Asia from 2017-2021 under the previous Donald Trump administration told PTI. When the Taliban controlled Afghanistan in the late 1990s, they welcomed militants and terrorists of all stripes to train, recruit, and fundraise from Afghanistan. Many of those militants, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, trained for operations in India, such as the 2001 attack on the Indian parliament, Curtis said. An eminent foreign policy and national security expert with over 20 years of service in the US government, Curtis now is a senior fellow and director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) think-tank. Indian officials also remember the close cooperation between the Taliban and militants who in December 1999 hijacked an Indian airliner. India may seek to use its role in regional efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan, like the recent UN effort, to press its goal of ensuring Afghan territory cannot be used by anti-India militants, Curtis said. India will worry about Taliban controlled territory being a haven for terrorists again, former Pakistan Ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, who is now Director for South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute think-tank told PTI. The real question now is whether after withdrawing its troops, the US will continue to help the Kabul government and will the Afghan people be able to keep the Taliban at bay, Haqqani said. The Taliban have shown no interest in peace and the Doha process only reinforced their belief that the US eagerness to leave Afghanistan outweighed its concerns about that country’s future. India and Pakistan do not have the luxury of distance that the U.S. has and will remain involved in Afghanistan. Pakistan is too deeply tied to the Taliban to stop supporting them now though it should be concerned about the adverse impact Taliban ideology would further have on Pakistan, Haqqani said in response to a question. The Washington Post in a lead editorial asserted that the plans of Biden to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan will lead to disaster in the region. “Mr Biden has chosen the easy way out of Afghanistan, but the consequences are likely to be ugly, The Washington Post said. The New York Times said that stopping terrorism groups over the long term could be harder, an opinion also echoed by The Wall Street Journal. The symbolic but arbitrary date shows the decision is driven less by facts on the ground than a political desire that is also a strategic gamble. History suggests US interests will suffer, The Wall Street Journal said in an editorial. The president’s exit means he will have to take responsibility for what happens next. We hope it doesn’t betray the great sacrifices so many have made, the daily said. The US and the Taliban signed a landmark deal in Doha on February 29, 2020, to bring lasting peace in war-torn Afghanistan and allow US troops to return home from America’s longest war. Under the US-Taliban pact signed in Doha, the US agreed to withdraw all its soldiers from Afghanistan in 14 months. Since the US-led invasion that ousted the Taliban after the September 11, 2001 attacks, America has spent more than USD 1 trillion in fighting and rebuilding in Afghanistan. About 2,400 US soldiers have been killed, along with tens of thousands of Afghan troops, Taliban insurgents and Afghan civilians.

Experts flag concerns for India as Biden announces the US, NATO troop pullout from Afghanistan

On September 11, US will withdraw all of its remaining troops from Afghanistan. But with the Taliban still on the offensive, does this withdrawal amount to surrender? Is US handing over Afghanistan to Islamabad on a platter? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: US to withdraw from Afghanistan on Sept 11

Blinken visits Kabul in show of support after Biden announces troops withdrawal

India is concerned about the vacuum that will be created after withdrawal of the US and NATO troops from war-torn Afghanistan, Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat said on Thursday.

He said that the main concern should not create "space for other disruptors" and therefore, see violence continue in Afghanistan.

India wants to see peace and tranquility returning to the region, he added.

"We would be very happy to provide whatever support we can in the development of Afghanistan and making sure peace returns to that nation. People have got tired and are looking at peace," General Rawat said speaking in a virtual discussion at the ongoing Raisina Dialogue 2021.

Asked whether it was Iran and Pakistan that could exploit the situation, the Chief of Defence Staff said there are many nations that would like to step into Afghanistan.

"Many people are looking at the opportunity to exploit the vacuum that is being created. Afghanistan is a nation which is rich in resources," he said.

Noting there are nations "that tend to exploit resources for their own benefit without the benefit going to the community of that nation", he said: "The international community must step in to ensure Afghanistan is for the Afghans."

President Joe Biden announced in Washington on Wednesday that he will withdraw remaining US troops from the "forever war" in Afghanistan. His plan is to pull out all US forces -- numbering 2,500 now -- by this September 11, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

The UN, together with Turkey, and Qatar, announced on Tuesday that a high-level conference aimed at ending decades of conflict in Afghanistan will go ahead beginning on April 24. There would be representatives from both the Afghan government and the Taliban.

India is concerned about the vacuum that will be created after withdrawal of the US and NATO troops from war-torn Afghanistan, Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat said on Thursday.

India is concerned about the vacuum that will be created after withdrawal of the US and NATO troops from war-torn Afghanistan, Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat said on Thursday. He said that the main concern should not create "space for other disruptors" and therefore, see violence continue in Afghanistan. India wants to see peace and tranquility returning to the region, he added. "We would be very happy to provide whatever support we can in the development of Afghanistan and making sure peace returns to that nation. People have got tired and are looking at peace," General Rawat said speaking in a virtual discussion at the ongoing Raisina Dialogue 2021. Asked whether it was Iran and Pakistan that could exploit the situation, the Chief of Defence Staff said there are many nations that would like to step into Afghanistan. "Many people are looking at the opportunity to exploit the vacuum that is being created. Afghanistan is a nation which is rich in resources," he said. Noting there are nations "that tend to exploit resources for their own benefit without the benefit going to the community of that nation", he said: "The international community must step in to ensure Afghanistan is for the Afghans." President Joe Biden announced in Washington on Wednesday that he will withdraw remaining US troops from the "forever war" in Afghanistan. His plan is to pull out all US forces -- numbering 2,500 now -- by this September 11, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The UN, together with Turkey, and Qatar, announced on Tuesday that a high-level conference aimed at ending decades of conflict in Afghanistan will go ahead beginning on April 24. There would be representatives from both the Afghan government and the Taliban.

India concerned over US troops' forthcoming exit from Afghanistan

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday began an unannounced visit to Afghanistan. His visit comes amid US plans to withdraw all American troops from the country before the 20th anniversary this year of September 11 terror attacks.

The withdrawal plans are going ahead in spite of a deadlock in peace talks with Taliban. This threatens to leave a power vacuum in Afghanistan. Initially aimed at May 1, the withdrawal plans have been postponed by four months.

Blinken met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as well as senior US officials in Kabul and brief them on President Joe Biden’s Wednesday announcement he was ending "the forever war", which began in response to the 2001 September 11 attacks.

"I wanted to demonstrate with my visit the ongoing commitment of the United States to the Islamic Republic and the people of Afghanistan," Blinken said after meeting Ghani.

"The partnership is changing, but the partnership is enduring."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-says-time-to-end-us-war-in-afghanistan-with-total-pullout-377585">Biden says 'time to end' US war in Afghanistan with total pullout</a>

The Pentagon has around 2,500 troops in Afghanistan from a high of over 100,000. Thousands more serve as part of a 9,600-strong NATO force, which will withdraw at the same time.

Ever since the US indicated that it wanted to pull out from Afghanistan, there has been marked increase in violence with emboldened Taliban carrying out bombings and assassinations.

"It could cost us losing everything we worked and fought together for in the past 20 years and could risk overall security in Afghanistan," said Metra Mehran, a Kabul-based women's rights activist.

For the US, however, after 20 years and more than 2,400 deaths, enough is enough.

"We cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan hoping to create the ideal conditions for our withdrawal, expecting a different result," Biden said.

The delayed withdrawal -- even by just over four months -- has angered the Taliban, who have threatened to resume hostilities against US forces.

"If the agreement is breached and foreign forces fail to exit our country on the specified date, problems will certainly be compounded and those who failed to comply with the agreement will be held liable," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday began an unannounced visit to Afghanistan. His visit comes amid US plans to withdraw all American troops from the country before the 20th anniversary this year of September 11 terror attacks.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday began an unannounced visit to Afghanistan. His visit comes amid US plans to withdraw all American troops from the country before the 20th anniversary this year of September 11 terror attacks. The withdrawal plans are going ahead in spite of a deadlock in peace talks with Taliban. This threatens to leave a power vacuum in Afghanistan. Initially aimed at May 1, the withdrawal plans have been postponed by four months. Blinken met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as well as senior US officials in Kabul and brief them on President Joe Biden’s Wednesday announcement he was ending "the forever war", which began in response to the 2001 September 11 attacks. "I wanted to demonstrate with my visit the ongoing commitment of the United States to the Islamic Republic and the people of Afghanistan," Blinken said after meeting Ghani. "The partnership is changing, but the partnership is enduring." Also Read | Biden says 'time to end' US war in Afghanistan with total pullout The Pentagon has around 2,500 troops in Afghanistan from a high of over 100,000. Thousands more serve as part of a 9,600-strong NATO force, which will withdraw at the same time. Ever since the US indicated that it wanted to pull out from Afghanistan, there has been marked increase in violence with emboldened Taliban carrying out bombings and assassinations. "It could cost us losing everything we worked and fought together for in the past 20 years and could risk overall security in Afghanistan," said Metra Mehran, a Kabul-based women's rights activist. For the US, however, after 20 years and more than 2,400 deaths, enough is enough. "We cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan hoping to create the ideal conditions for our withdrawal, expecting a different result," Biden said. The delayed withdrawal -- even by just over four months -- has angered the Taliban, who have threatened to resume hostilities against US forces. "If the agreement is breached and foreign forces fail to exit our country on the specified date, problems will certainly be compounded and those who failed to comply with the agreement will be held liable," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Afghanistan on a surprise visit

President Joe Biden announced Wednesday it's "time to end" America's longest war with the unconditional withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan where they have spent two decades in a bloody, largely fruitless battle against the Taliban.

Dubbed the "forever war," the US military onslaught in Afghanistan began in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/biden-to-pull-out-all-us-troops-from-afghanistan-by-september-11-377553/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

Now, 20 years later -- after almost 2,400 US military and tens of thousands of Afghan deaths -- Biden is naming September 11 as the deadline by which the last US soldiers will have finally departed.

The war is at best at a stalemate.

The internationally backed government in Kabul has only tenuous control in swaths of the country, while the Taliban are growing in strength, with many predicting the insurgency will seek to regain total power once the government's US military umbrella is removed.

In a speech later Wednesday, Biden was to tell Americans that it's time to accept the reality that there's no alternative to a clean break.

"We cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan hoping to create the ideal conditions for our withdrawal, expecting a different result," he was to say, according to excerpts released ahead of his speech.

"I am now the fourth American president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan. Two Republicans. Two Democrats," he said. "I will not pass this responsibility to a fifth."

Biden's decision is not a shock. The war is hugely unpopular among voters and Biden's predecessor Donald Trump had committed to an even earlier exit of May 1.

Biden ally Senator Bernie Sanders called it "brave."

However, there was immediate criticism from some quarters that the United States is abandoning the Afghan government and encouraging jihadist insurgencies.

"Wars don't end when one side abandons the fight," influential Republican Representative Liz Cheney said.

"Withdrawing our forces from Afghanistan by Sept 11 will only embolden the very jihadists who attacked our homeland on that day 20 years ago."

'Recipe' for forever war&nbsp;

Biden was set to say in his speech that Washington will continue to support the Afghan government, only not "militarily."

This will mark a profound shift in clout for the beleaguered government and its US and coalition-trained security forces.

A senior administration official said the US military exit would be completed by September 11.

Biden had earlier considered stationing a residual US force to strike at Al-Qaeda or other international jihadist groups in Afghanistan or making withdrawal contingent on progress on the ground or in slow-moving peace talks.

In the end, he decided to leave only personnel to guard installations like the US embassy in Kabul, a senior official said.

"The president has judged that a conditions-based approach, which has been the approach of the past two decades, is a recipe for staying in Afghanistan forever," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the moment had arrived to bring forces back home, and Washington would work out a "coordinated" withdrawal plan with its NATO allies.

"Together, we have achieved the goals that we set out to achieve and now it is time to bring our forces home," Blinken said ahead of talks with NATO partners in Brussels.&nbsp;

German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said Wednesday that NATO would likely join the US in withdrawing its troops by September.&nbsp;

The Times newspaper said Britain would withdraw its roughly 750 troops, citing sources as saying "they would struggle without American support because of a reliance on US bases and infrastructure."

Taliban 'confident'&nbsp;

The Biden official said the withdrawal would begin in May and that the delay was largely logistical, with troops possibly out of Afghanistan well before September 11.

The official warned the Taliban -- who are observing a truce with US but not with Afghan forces -- not to strike coalition forces as they leave, saying that in response to any attack "we will hit back hard."

But a threat assessment report published Tuesday by the director of US national intelligence said the Taliban "is confident it can achieve military victory."&nbsp;

The upheaval raises big questions over the future of attempts to modernize Afghanistan, especially for Afghan women who have benefited from increased rights, like access to education.

The Taliban, who enforce an austere brand of Sunni Islam, banned women from schools, offices, music and most of daily life during their 1996-2001 rule over much of Afghanistan. Two decades later, 40 percent of schoolchildren are girls.

Peace effort in Turkey&nbsp;

Biden's decision came as Turkey said it will host a US-backed peace conference from April 24 to May 4 that would bring together the Afghan government, the Taliban and international partners.

But Mohammad Naeem, spokesman for the Taliban office in Qatar, said the insurgents will not participate in any conference on Afghanistan's future "until all foreign forces completely withdraw."

A decade ago, the United States had about 100,000 troops in Afghanistan.

The troop figure by the end of Trump's presidency had gone down to 2,500. As of February this year, NATO had around 10,000 troops in Afghanistan. 
&nbsp;

President Joe Biden announced Wednesday it's "time to end" America's longest war with the unconditional withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan where they have spent two decades in a bloody, largely fruitless battle against the Taliban.

President Joe Biden announced Wednesday it's "time to end" America's longest war with the unconditional withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan where they have spent two decades in a bloody, largely fruitless battle against the Taliban. Dubbed the "forever war," the US military onslaught in Afghanistan began in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. Watch | Now, 20 years later -- after almost 2,400 US military and tens of thousands of Afghan deaths -- Biden is naming September 11 as the deadline by which the last US soldiers will have finally departed. The war is at best at a stalemate. The internationally backed government in Kabul has only tenuous control in swaths of the country, while the Taliban are growing in strength, with many predicting the insurgency will seek to regain total power once the government's US military umbrella is removed. In a speech later Wednesday, Biden was to tell Americans that it's time to accept the reality that there's no alternative to a clean break. "We cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan hoping to create the ideal conditions for our withdrawal, expecting a different result," he was to say, according to excerpts released ahead of his speech. "I am now the fourth American president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan. Two Republicans. Two Democrats," he said. "I will not pass this responsibility to a fifth." Biden's decision is not a shock. The war is hugely unpopular among voters and Biden's predecessor Donald Trump had committed to an even earlier exit of May 1. Biden ally Senator Bernie Sanders called it "brave." However, there was immediate criticism from some quarters that the United States is abandoning the Afghan government and encouraging jihadist insurgencies. "Wars don't end when one side abandons the fight," influential Republican Representative Liz Cheney said. "Withdrawing our forces from Afghanistan by Sept 11 will only embolden the very jihadists who attacked our homeland on that day 20 years ago." 'Recipe' for forever war Biden was set to say in his speech that Washington will continue to support the Afghan government, only not "militarily." This will mark a profound shift in clout for the beleaguered government and its US and coalition-trained security forces. A senior administration official said the US military exit would be completed by September 11. Biden had earlier considered stationing a residual US force to strike at Al-Qaeda or other international jihadist groups in Afghanistan or making withdrawal contingent on progress on the ground or in slow-moving peace talks. In the end, he decided to leave only personnel to guard installations like the US embassy in Kabul, a senior official said. "The president has judged that a conditions-based approach, which has been the approach of the past two decades, is a recipe for staying in Afghanistan forever," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the moment had arrived to bring forces back home, and Washington would work out a "coordinated" withdrawal plan with its NATO allies. "Together, we have achieved the goals that we set out to achieve and now it is time to bring our forces home," Blinken said ahead of talks with NATO partners in Brussels. German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said Wednesday that NATO would likely join the US in withdrawing its troops by September. The Times newspaper said Britain would withdraw its roughly 750 troops, citing sources as saying "they would struggle without American support because of a reliance on US bases and infrastructure." Taliban 'confident' The Biden official said the withdrawal would begin in May and that the delay was largely logistical, with troops possibly out of Afghanistan well before September 11. The official warned the Taliban -- who are observing a truce with US but not with Afghan forces -- not to strike coalition forces as they leave, saying that in response to any attack "we will hit back hard." But a threat assessment report published Tuesday by the director of US national intelligence said the Taliban "is confident it can achieve military victory." The upheaval raises big questions over the future of attempts to modernize Afghanistan, especially for Afghan women who have benefited from increased rights, like access to education. The Taliban, who enforce an austere brand of Sunni Islam, banned women from schools, offices, music and most of daily life during their 1996-2001 rule over much of Afghanistan. Two decades later, 40 percent of schoolchildren are girls. Peace effort in Turkey Biden's decision came as Turkey said it will host a US-backed peace conference from April 24 to May 4 that would bring together the Afghan government, the Taliban and international partners. But Mohammad Naeem, spokesman for the Taliban office in Qatar, said the insurgents will not participate in any conference on Afghanistan's future "until all foreign forces completely withdraw." A decade ago, the United States had about 100,000 troops in Afghanistan. The troop figure by the end of Trump's presidency had gone down to 2,500. As of February this year, NATO had around 10,000 troops in Afghanistan.

Biden says 'time to end' US war in Afghanistan with total pullout

Biden to pull out all US troops from Afghanistan by September 11

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said that the moment has arrived to bring the foreign troops home, adding that Washington would engage with NATO allies on a "coordinated" pull-out.&nbsp;

"Together, we have achieved the goals that we set out to achieve and now it is time to bring our forces home," Blinken was quoted as saying by news agency AFP ahead of talks with NATO nations in Brussels.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/antony-blinken-to-return-to-brussels-for-talks-on-ukraine-afghanistan-377207/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Blinken's comments came on a day when US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden </a>is set to formally announce that all US troops will be pulled out from Afghanistan no later than September 11, a senior official has confirmed.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the US's NATO ally Germany has supported the move of withdrawal by September with its Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer saying: "We always said: we'll go in together, we'll leave together". &nbsp;

A report in The Times claimed that Britain is also planning to pull out its troops from the country around the same time.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/biden-set-to-complete-withdrawal-of-remaining-us-troops-from-afghanistan-before-911-anniversary-377408">Biden set to complete withdrawal of remaining US troops from Afghanistan before 9/11 anniversary</a> 
&nbsp;

It said that UK would pull out about 750 troops, citing sources that without the US, Britain would "struggle" because of "a reliance on US bases and infrastructure."

Meanwhile, Turkey has announced an international peace conference in Afghanistan to reach a solution to end nearly 40 years of violence and chaos that has ravaged the nation.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said that the moment has arrived to bring the foreign troops home, adding that Washington would engage with NATO allies on a "coordinated" pull-out.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said that the moment has arrived to bring the foreign troops home, adding that Washington would engage with NATO allies on a "coordinated" pull-out. "Together, we have achieved the goals that we set out to achieve and now it is time to bring our forces home," Blinken was quoted as saying by news agency AFP ahead of talks with NATO nations in Brussels. Watch | Blinken's comments came on a day when US President Joe Biden is set to formally announce that all US troops will be pulled out from Afghanistan no later than September 11, a senior official has confirmed. Meanwhile, the US's NATO ally Germany has supported the move of withdrawal by September with its Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer saying: "We always said: we'll go in together, we'll leave together". A report in The Times claimed that Britain is also planning to pull out its troops from the country around the same time. Also read | Biden set to complete withdrawal of remaining US troops from Afghanistan before 9/11 anniversary It said that UK would pull out about 750 troops, citing sources that without the US, Britain would "struggle" because of "a reliance on US bases and infrastructure." Meanwhile, Turkey has announced an international peace conference in Afghanistan to reach a solution to end nearly 40 years of violence and chaos that has ravaged the nation.

'Time to bring our forces home': US on Afghan pullout

Britain will withdraw nearly all its soldiers from Afghanistan following the US plan to withdraw its troops by September 11, 2021, The Times reported on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Britain has drawn up plans to hand over control of the academy in Kabul where troops help to train Afghan soldiers to the government, the newspaper said.&nbsp;

There are about 750 British soldiers in Afghanistan, who would struggle without US support because of the reliance on US bases and infrastructure, according to the Times.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden plans to withdraw the remaining 2,500 US troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, 20 years to the day after the al Qaeda attacks that triggered America's longest war, US officials said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The disclosure of the plan came on the same day that the US intelligence community released a gloomy outlook for Afghanistan, forecasting 'low' chances of a peace deal this year and warning that its government would struggle to hold the Taliban insurgency at bay if the US-led coalition withdraws support.&nbsp;

Biden's decision would miss a May 1 deadline for withdrawal agreed to with the Taliban by his predecessor Donald Trump. The insurgents had threatened to resume hostilities against foreign troops if that deadline was missed. But Biden would still be setting a near-term withdrawal date, potentially allaying Taliban concerns. &nbsp;

The Democratic president will publicly announce his decision on Wednesday, the White House said. A senior Biden administration official said the pullout would begin before May 1 and could be complete well before the September 11 deadline. Significantly, it will not would be subject to further conditions, including security or human rights.&nbsp;

"The president has judged that a conditions-based approach, which has been the approach of the past two decades, is a recipe in staying in Afghanistan forever," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in a briefing with reporters.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Britain will withdraw nearly all its soldiers from Afghanistan following the US plan to withdraw its troops by September 11, 2021, The Times reported on Tuesday.

Britain will withdraw nearly all its soldiers from Afghanistan following the US plan to withdraw its troops by September 11, 2021, The Times reported on Tuesday. Britain has drawn up plans to hand over control of the academy in Kabul where troops help to train Afghan soldiers to the government, the newspaper said. There are about 750 British soldiers in Afghanistan, who would struggle without US support because of the reliance on US bases and infrastructure, according to the Times. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden plans to withdraw the remaining 2,500 US troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, 20 years to the day after the al Qaeda attacks that triggered America's longest war, US officials said on Tuesday. The disclosure of the plan came on the same day that the US intelligence community released a gloomy outlook for Afghanistan, forecasting 'low' chances of a peace deal this year and warning that its government would struggle to hold the Taliban insurgency at bay if the US-led coalition withdraws support. Biden's decision would miss a May 1 deadline for withdrawal agreed to with the Taliban by his predecessor Donald Trump. The insurgents had threatened to resume hostilities against foreign troops if that deadline was missed. But Biden would still be setting a near-term withdrawal date, potentially allaying Taliban concerns. The Democratic president will publicly announce his decision on Wednesday, the White House said. A senior Biden administration official said the pullout would begin before May 1 and could be complete well before the September 11 deadline. Significantly, it will not would be subject to further conditions, including security or human rights. "The president has judged that a conditions-based approach, which has been the approach of the past two decades, is a recipe in staying in Afghanistan forever," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in a briefing with reporters. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain to withdraw nearly all its troops from Afghanistan, says report

At least 65 people were killed in clashes and terrorist attacks in Afghanistan over the past 24 hours, an independent war monitoring group said on Monday. 
 
"Over the past 24 hours, our team has documented 65 deaths, including six civilians, 12 Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) members, and 47 Taliban militants," the group, Reduction in Violence (RiV), said on its Twitter account. 
 
The group said 35 people, including 18 Taliban militants, 12 security forces and five civilians, were also injured during the cited period, reports Xinhua news agency. 
 
The deaths and injuries took place following 12 security incidents in six provinces of the conflict-torn country`s 34 provinces.

At least 65 people were killed in clashes and terrorist attacks in Afghanistan over the past 24 hours, an independent war monitoring group said on Monday. "Over the past 24 hours, our team has documented 65 deaths, including six civilians, 12 Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) members, and 47 Taliban militants," the group, Reduction in Violence (RiV), said on its Twitter account.

At least 65 people were killed in clashes and terrorist attacks in Afghanistan over the past 24 hours, an independent war monitoring group said on Monday. "Over the past 24 hours, our team has documented 65 deaths, including six civilians, 12 Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) members, and 47 Taliban militants," the group, Reduction in Violence (RiV), said on its Twitter account. The group said 35 people, including 18 Taliban militants, 12 security forces and five civilians, were also injured during the cited period, reports Xinhua news agency. The deaths and injuries took place following 12 security incidents in six provinces of the conflict-torn country`s 34 provinces.

Clashes leave 65 dead in Afghanistan: Monitoring agency

Istanbul is all set to host the talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. While the date is&nbsp; Friday the 16th of April, no announcement has come so far given anything can happen anytime when it comes to the Afghan peace process. Taliban is eager to cross the 1st of May deadline for withdrawal of American troops. While it is given that the US troops won't be able to withdraw by then, the Taliban is hoping to gain leverage, a kind of moral upper hand.&nbsp;

An Afghan govt source told WION, "they are keen on condition-based withdrawal, not a time-bound withdrawal". A condition, on the Taliban to reduce violence, something that continues to remain high.

But what did Doha gain from hosting the talks on Afghan Peace Process? The lucrative geopolitics of hosting Afghan peace talks mean, getting international prestige and certain trade-offs.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, Qatar was able to normalise ties with four Arab countries--Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt--at the famous Al Ula summit.&nbsp;The four Arab states had cut ties with the oil-rich state of Qatar way back in 2017. The outcome in practical terms was the end of a three and half-year-old blockade against Qatar, and reopening of land and sea routes.

Qatar, last year, was a busy place. It not only hosted the signing of the Taliban-US peace pact, but also in September hosted the start of intra-Afghan talks between the Afghan govt and Taliban. America's reduced role in Afghanistan, which can pave way for its troops to leave, is Washington's priority, and while that still hasn't happened, Qatar was able to bring the various factions together.&nbsp;And this helped Qatar normalise ties with its neighbours in the long term.

Now, it's Turkey that is set to host such talks. Turkey, which has been having tiff of some kind with both Russia and the US, will be able to get back some lost ground.

And with hosting such talks, moral leadership and economics are not far behind. In fact, hosting big-ticket talks amid the economic downturn is something that can be politically fruitful.&nbsp;&nbsp;The US, under its new proposal to the Afghan president, suggested&nbsp;talks in Turkey between the Afghan government and the Taliban and later six-country talks under United Nations umbrella.&nbsp;

Interestingly, it was not only Turkey which has been keen to host Afghan peace talks. Uzbekistan and Indonesia have been in the fray as well.&nbsp;

Istanbul is all set to host the talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. While the date is Friday the 16th of April, no announcement has come so far given anything can happen anytime when it comes to the Afghan peace process.

Istanbul is all set to host the talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. While the date is Friday the 16th of April, no announcement has come so far given anything can happen anytime when it comes to the Afghan peace process. Taliban is eager to cross the 1st of May deadline for withdrawal of American troops. While it is given that the US troops won't be able to withdraw by then, the Taliban is hoping to gain leverage, a kind of moral upper hand. An Afghan govt source told WION, "they are keen on condition-based withdrawal, not a time-bound withdrawal". A condition, on the Taliban to reduce violence, something that continues to remain high. But what did Doha gain from hosting the talks on Afghan Peace Process? The lucrative geopolitics of hosting Afghan peace talks mean, getting international prestige and certain trade-offs. Earlier this year, Qatar was able to normalise ties with four Arab countries--Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt--at the famous Al Ula summit. The four Arab states had cut ties with the oil-rich state of Qatar way back in 2017. The outcome in practical terms was the end of a three and half-year-old blockade against Qatar, and reopening of land and sea routes. Qatar, last year, was a busy place. It not only hosted the signing of the Taliban-US peace pact, but also in September hosted the start of intra-Afghan talks between the Afghan govt and Taliban. America's reduced role in Afghanistan, which can pave way for its troops to leave, is Washington's priority, and while that still hasn't happened, Qatar was able to bring the various factions together. And this helped Qatar normalise ties with its neighbours in the long term. Now, it's Turkey that is set to host such talks. Turkey, which has been having tiff of some kind with both Russia and the US, will be able to get back some lost ground. And with hosting such talks, moral leadership and economics are not far behind. In fact, hosting big-ticket talks amid the economic downturn is something that can be politically fruitful. The US, under its new proposal to the Afghan president, suggested talks in Turkey between the Afghan government and the Taliban and later six-country talks under United Nations umbrella. Interestingly, it was not only Turkey which has been keen to host Afghan peace talks. Uzbekistan and Indonesia have been in the fray as well.

The lucrative "geo-politics" of hosting Afghan peace talks: What will Doha, Istanbul get?

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to Brussels this week for discussions on Iran, Afghanistan and Russian activities directed at Ukraine, a US official said.&nbsp;

Blinken will join US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Brussels. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity on Saturday, did not release additional details on the trip. &nbsp;

Austin was scheduled to visit NATO headquarters in Belgium on a trip that started on Saturday and also includes Israel, Germany and Britain, the Pentagon said last week.&nbsp;

The trip by two of President Joe Biden's Cabinet members coincides with increasing tensions over Russian activities near Ukraine's eastern border, where Washington says Russia has amassed more troops than at any time since 2014, when it annexed Crimea.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine on Friday of "dangerous provocative actions" in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region.&nbsp;

Turkey, a NATO ally, said on Friday the United States would deploy two warships to the Black Sea from April 14-15.&nbsp;

Blinken first visited Brussels in March for talks with European Union and NATO allies and pledged to rebuild and revitalise trans-Atlantic alliances.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to Brussels this week for discussions on Iran, Afghanistan and Russian activities directed at Ukraine, a US official said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to Brussels this week for discussions on Iran, Afghanistan and Russian activities directed at Ukraine, a US official said. Blinken will join US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Brussels. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity on Saturday, did not release additional details on the trip. Austin was scheduled to visit NATO headquarters in Belgium on a trip that started on Saturday and also includes Israel, Germany and Britain, the Pentagon said last week. The trip by two of President Joe Biden's Cabinet members coincides with increasing tensions over Russian activities near Ukraine's eastern border, where Washington says Russia has amassed more troops than at any time since 2014, when it annexed Crimea. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine on Friday of "dangerous provocative actions" in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region. Turkey, a NATO ally, said on Friday the United States would deploy two warships to the Black Sea from April 14-15. Blinken first visited Brussels in March for talks with European Union and NATO allies and pledged to rebuild and revitalise trans-Atlantic alliances.

Blinken to return to Brussels for talks on Ukraine, Afghanistan 

Afghanistan intelligence agency chief Ahmad Zia Saraj said on Sunday that Taliban attacks have increased by 24 per cent since the signing of the US-Taliban peace deal in February last year. Saraj added that the terrorist group has launched 20,600 attacks since last March.

Saraj was addressing the country's Parliamentary committee on internal security. He said that the Taliban had not made any changes in their ideology and that the Turkey conference will not have the expected results, TOLO news reported.&nbsp;

Siraj said that more than 4,500 Taliban and Daesh members were arrested between March 2020 to March 2021. Out of these, 221 were involved in targeted attacks and bombings.&nbsp;

"Our evaluation based on our information is that the Taliban has not changed, and the Turkey conference might be a conference like the one in Moscow in which some will attend and will return," Saraj said, as quoted by TOLO news.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has said he has clear plan for peace in the country but pointed out that the process should not be hasty.&nbsp;

"Our proposal for the transition from an imposed war to a just and permanent peace is very clear," Ghani said, referring to his proposed plan for peace.&nbsp;

"I will not go into details ... any proposals that come from outside, we have the capacity to proposed more inclusive and principled plans."

In February last year, the Taliban had committed to reducing violence as part of a peace agreement negotiated by the US in Doha. In addition to the mutual release of prisoners, the agreement was expected to launch the intra-Afghan talks and pave the way for ending the almost two-decade-long confrontation between Kabul and the Taliban.

(With ANI inputs) 
&nbsp;

Afghanistan intelligence agency chief Ahmad Zia Saraj said on Sunday that Taliban attacks have increased by 24 per cent since the signing of the US-Taliban peace deal in February last year.

Afghanistan intelligence agency chief Ahmad Zia Saraj said on Sunday that Taliban attacks have increased by 24 per cent since the signing of the US-Taliban peace deal in February last year. Saraj added that the terrorist group has launched 20,600 attacks since last March. Saraj was addressing the country's Parliamentary committee on internal security. He said that the Taliban had not made any changes in their ideology and that the Turkey conference will not have the expected results, TOLO news reported. Siraj said that more than 4,500 Taliban and Daesh members were arrested between March 2020 to March 2021. Out of these, 221 were involved in targeted attacks and bombings. "Our evaluation based on our information is that the Taliban has not changed, and the Turkey conference might be a conference like the one in Moscow in which some will attend and will return," Saraj said, as quoted by TOLO news. Meanwhile, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has said he has clear plan for peace in the country but pointed out that the process should not be hasty. "Our proposal for the transition from an imposed war to a just and permanent peace is very clear," Ghani said, referring to his proposed plan for peace. "I will not go into details ... any proposals that come from outside, we have the capacity to proposed more inclusive and principled plans." In February last year, the Taliban had committed to reducing violence as part of a peace agreement negotiated by the US in Doha. In addition to the mutual release of prisoners, the agreement was expected to launch the intra-Afghan talks and pave the way for ending the almost two-decade-long confrontation between Kabul and the Taliban. (With ANI inputs)

Taliban attacks increased by 24 per cent since peace deal

The visit of a Pakistani parliamentary delegation to Afghanistan has been scrapped due to the security threat.

As soon as the plane was about to land in Kabul, the trip was cancelled due to a security threat.

"Speaker's visit to Kabul was postponed as the airport was closed due to a security threat. The plane was about to descent when the control tower informed of the closure of the airport. New dates for the visit will be decided after mutual consultations, "Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq wrote in a tweet on Thursday.

As per media reports, the five-member parliamentary delegation, led by parliamentary secretary Asad Qaisar, was looking to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries during the three-day visit, as well as the support of progress in the war-torn country's peace process.

Former Pakistani senator Farhatullah Babar questioned the timing of the trip's mysterious cancellation.

"Security threat arose just when landing. Was the visit not cleared beforehand? Visit postponed indefinitely, the new date given. No regrets by hosts. Decision conveyed by tower operator. Normal protocol of high-level rep of host speaking to guest from tower ignored. There's more to it," Babar said in a tweet.

The so-called threat comes as calls for blacklisting Pakistan by the FATF intensifies. Former Canadian Ambassador Chris Alexander has called for Islamabad to be blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) while stating that the Imran Khan government continues to support Taliban and other terror outfits.

In December last year, a series of videos had surfaced showing senior Taliban leaders meeting their followers and Taliban fighters in Pakistan.

In the videos, Taliban deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the head of the Taliban political office, was seen holding a briefing with the Taliban cadre on the Afghanistan peace negotiations and acknowledging the presence of the Taliban's top leadership in Pakistan.

In December, former Pakistan senator Afrasiab Khattak said Pakistan is using the Taliban as a "tool" for its dominance in Afghanistan under the pretext of strategic depth.

The peace negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban began in the Qatari capital of Doha back in September. In early December, Kabul and the Taliban announced that they had agreed on the framework of the talks, allowing for discussions to now be held on substantive issues. Little progress, however, has so far been made since then.

The visit of a Pakistani parliamentary delegation to Afghanistan has been scrapped due to the security threat. As soon as the plane was about to land in Kabul, the trip was cancelled due to a security threat.

The visit of a Pakistani parliamentary delegation to Afghanistan has been scrapped due to the security threat. As soon as the plane was about to land in Kabul, the trip was cancelled due to a security threat. "Speaker's visit to Kabul was postponed as the airport was closed due to a security threat. The plane was about to descent when the control tower informed of the closure of the airport. New dates for the visit will be decided after mutual consultations, "Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq wrote in a tweet on Thursday. As per media reports, the five-member parliamentary delegation, led by parliamentary secretary Asad Qaisar, was looking to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries during the three-day visit, as well as the support of progress in the war-torn country's peace process. Former Pakistani senator Farhatullah Babar questioned the timing of the trip's mysterious cancellation. "Security threat arose just when landing. Was the visit not cleared beforehand? Visit postponed indefinitely, the new date given. No regrets by hosts. Decision conveyed by tower operator. Normal protocol of high-level rep of host speaking to guest from tower ignored. There's more to it," Babar said in a tweet. The so-called threat comes as calls for blacklisting Pakistan by the FATF intensifies. Former Canadian Ambassador Chris Alexander has called for Islamabad to be blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) while stating that the Imran Khan government continues to support Taliban and other terror outfits. In December last year, a series of videos had surfaced showing senior Taliban leaders meeting their followers and Taliban fighters in Pakistan. In the videos, Taliban deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the head of the Taliban political office, was seen holding a briefing with the Taliban cadre on the Afghanistan peace negotiations and acknowledging the presence of the Taliban's top leadership in Pakistan. In December, former Pakistan senator Afrasiab Khattak said Pakistan is using the Taliban as a "tool" for its dominance in Afghanistan under the pretext of strategic depth. The peace negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban began in the Qatari capital of Doha back in September. In early December, Kabul and the Taliban announced that they had agreed on the framework of the talks, allowing for discussions to now be held on substantive issues. Little progress, however, has so far been made since then.

Just before landing in Kabul, Pakistani delegation trip canceled

Afghanistan is trying to inoculate millions of children against polio after pandemic lockdowns stalled the effort to eradicate the crippling disease. But the recent killing of three vaccinators points to the dangers facing the campaign as turmoil grows in the country.

The three women were gunned down in two separate attacks on March 30 as they carried out door-to-door vaccinations in the eastern city of Jalalabad.

It was the first time that vaccination workers have been killed in a decade of door-to-door inoculations against the children's disease in Afghanistan.

Such attacks have been more common in neighbouring Pakistan, where at least 70 vaccinators and security personnel connected to vaccination campaigns have been killed since 2011.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries in the world where polio is still endemic, and both have seen a disturbing increase in cases in recent years. In Afghanistan, 56 new cases were reported in 2020, the highest number since 2011, when 80 cases were registered.

Adela Mohammadi, a 21-year-old vaccinator worker in Kabul, said her parents didn't want her to go out to do inoculations on the day after the three women were killed in Jalalabad. 
''I went, but with a lot of worry,''&nbsp;she told The Associated Press. ''I was thinking what if someone was waiting for us and suddenly started shooting at us.''

''But at the end of the day, I love my job.&nbsp;I serve my people, especially children,''&nbsp;she said. ''Such attacks can't stop us from what we are doing.''

In Pakistan, officials have struggled to overcome deep public suspicion over vaccines particularly since the US used a fake vaccination campaign to unearth the hideout of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. Hard-line clerics and militants have stoked the fears by depicting polio vaccinations as a Western plot to sterilize Muslim children.

In Afghanistan, some have also been suspicious of vaccinations, but that rarely if ever translated into violence. The new killings appear to reflect the disturbing rise in chaos in the past year, when the country has seen increasing targeted killings, sometimes of professionals or civil society figures, sometimes just seemingly at random.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for some of the violence. But the perpetrators of many attacks remain unknown, including the killings of the vaccination workers.

The violence adds a new worry as Afghanistan struggles to stamp out a disease that has largely been eliminated around the world. In children, polio can cause partial paralysis. Since 2010, the country has been carrying out regular inoculation campaigns in which workers go door to door, giving the vaccine to children. Most of the workers are women, since they can get better access to mothers and children.

Last year, authorities had to call off four planned inoculation rounds because of lockdowns against the coronavirus pandemic, though they did manage to conduct two rounds.

Authorities say nearly 10 million children are now in need of vaccination against polio. Of those, authorities are unable to reach some 3 million children living in areas under the control of Taliban insurgents. One round of inoculations was carried out earlier this year, and a second was launched March 29.&nbsp;and continued despite the killings the next day.

During the four-day second round, more than 6 million children were vaccinated, according to Health Ministry spokesman Ghulam Dastagir Nazari.

In Afghanistan's deeply conservative society, traumatized by decades of war, some are suspicious, viewing inoculations as a Western trick.

Mohammadi has been participating in door-to-door campaigns the past three years. She works in somewhat better educated parts of the capital, and most families she approaches allow their children to be given a dose. Public worries over the coronavirus and eagerness for treatment have made some more open to polio vaccinations, she said.

Still, she regularly faces sometimes angry resistance from some families who claim vaccines are forbidden by religion or harm children. ?There are families who don't even open their gates for us, they just shout, if we don't leave, they will come out and beat us,? she said.

The continued impact of polio can be seen at the International Committee of the Red Cross' Orthopedic Program in Afghanistan. It mainly provides artificial legs to the many wounded in war or by roadside bombs or mines. But it also offers services to anyone with mobility issues ? including people affected by polio.

In 2020, nearly 5,000 polio patients received treatment at the program, including physiotherapy, medical equipment and orthopedic devices. 
Maiwa Gul, 35, a polio patient from eastern Khost province, was at the center on a recent day getting repairs to the leg prostheses that he needs to walk.

He urged that all children be vaccinated. ''Otherwise, they will eventually be in my position, needing someone to help them," he said.

Merjan Rasekh, head of public awareness at the Health Ministry's Polio Eradication Program, said the killing of the three vaccinators was ''painful.''

If this situation continues, it would definitely have a negative impact on the morale of our health workers,''&nbsp;he said.

But the young women at the forefront of the vaccination drive said it must continue.

''If we are afraid and don't go out to vaccinate, our children and all of us will face problems,''&nbsp;said 22-year-old Shabana Maani.

Afghanistan is trying to inoculate millions of children against polio after pandemic lockdowns stalled the effort to eradicate the crippling disease. But the recent killing of three vaccinators points to the dangers facing the campaign as turmoil grows in the country.

Afghanistan is trying to inoculate millions of children against polio after pandemic lockdowns stalled the effort to eradicate the crippling disease. But the recent killing of three vaccinators points to the dangers facing the campaign as turmoil grows in the country. The three women were gunned down in two separate attacks on March 30 as they carried out door-to-door vaccinations in the eastern city of Jalalabad. It was the first time that vaccination workers have been killed in a decade of door-to-door inoculations against the children's disease in Afghanistan. Such attacks have been more common in neighbouring Pakistan, where at least 70 vaccinators and security personnel connected to vaccination campaigns have been killed since 2011. Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries in the world where polio is still endemic, and both have seen a disturbing increase in cases in recent years. In Afghanistan, 56 new cases were reported in 2020, the highest number since 2011, when 80 cases were registered. Adela Mohammadi, a 21-year-old vaccinator worker in Kabul, said her parents didn't want her to go out to do inoculations on the day after the three women were killed in Jalalabad. ''I went, but with a lot of worry,'' she told The Associated Press. ''I was thinking what if someone was waiting for us and suddenly started shooting at us.'' ''But at the end of the day, I love my job. I serve my people, especially children,'' she said. ''Such attacks can't stop us from what we are doing.'' In Pakistan, officials have struggled to overcome deep public suspicion over vaccines particularly since the US used a fake vaccination campaign to unearth the hideout of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. Hard-line clerics and militants have stoked the fears by depicting polio vaccinations as a Western plot to sterilize Muslim children. In Afghanistan, some have also been suspicious of vaccinations, but that rarely if ever translated into violence. The new killings appear to reflect the disturbing rise in chaos in the past year, when the country has seen increasing targeted killings, sometimes of professionals or civil society figures, sometimes just seemingly at random. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for some of the violence. But the perpetrators of many attacks remain unknown, including the killings of the vaccination workers. The violence adds a new worry as Afghanistan struggles to stamp out a disease that has largely been eliminated around the world. In children, polio can cause partial paralysis. Since 2010, the country has been carrying out regular inoculation campaigns in which workers go door to door, giving the vaccine to children. Most of the workers are women, since they can get better access to mothers and children. Last year, authorities had to call off four planned inoculation rounds because of lockdowns against the coronavirus pandemic, though they did manage to conduct two rounds. Authorities say nearly 10 million children are now in need of vaccination against polio. Of those, authorities are unable to reach some 3 million children living in areas under the control of Taliban insurgents. One round of inoculations was carried out earlier this year, and a second was launched March 29. and continued despite the killings the next day. During the four-day second round, more than 6 million children were vaccinated, according to Health Ministry spokesman Ghulam Dastagir Nazari. In Afghanistan's deeply conservative society, traumatized by decades of war, some are suspicious, viewing inoculations as a Western trick. Mohammadi has been participating in door-to-door campaigns the past three years. She works in somewhat better educated parts of the capital, and most families she approaches allow their children to be given a dose. Public worries over the coronavirus and eagerness for treatment have made some more open to polio vaccinations, she said. Still, she regularly faces sometimes angry resistance from some families who claim vaccines are forbidden by religion or harm children. ?There are families who don't even open their gates for us, they just shout, if we don't leave, they will come out and beat us,? she said. The continued impact of polio can be seen at the International Committee of the Red Cross' Orthopedic Program in Afghanistan. It mainly provides artificial legs to the many wounded in war or by roadside bombs or mines. But it also offers services to anyone with mobility issues ? including people affected by polio. In 2020, nearly 5,000 polio patients received treatment at the program, including physiotherapy, medical equipment and orthopedic devices. Maiwa Gul, 35, a polio patient from eastern Khost province, was at the center on a recent day getting repairs to the leg prostheses that he needs to walk. He urged that all children be vaccinated. ''Otherwise, they will eventually be in my position, needing someone to help them," he said. Merjan Rasekh, head of public awareness at the Health Ministry's Polio Eradication Program, said the killing of the three vaccinators was ''painful.'' If this situation continues, it would definitely have a negative impact on the morale of our health workers,'' he said. But the young women at the forefront of the vaccination drive said it must continue. ''If we are afraid and don't go out to vaccinate, our children and all of us will face problems,'' said 22-year-old Shabana Maani.

Afghanistan working to stem polio rise amid violence, pandemic

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will put forward a three-phase peace roadmap for Afghanistan during a proposed meeting in Turkey, seeking an agreement with the Taliban and a ceasefire before elections, a document shows.

Washington is pushing for a conference to be hosted by Turkey, with UN involvement, this month to finalise a peace deal between the government and the Taliban as a May 1 deadline looms for the withdrawal of all foreign troops.

Ghani’s plan will be presented as a counter to proposals put forward by Washington, rejected by the Afghan government, that envisage immediately drawing up a new legal system for an interim administration to include Taliban representatives.&nbsp;

The document shows Ghani’s ‘Reaching an Endstate’ proposal will include, in the first phase, a consensus on a political settlement and an internationally monitored ceasefire.

The second phase will be holding a presidential election and the establishment of a ‘government of peace’ and implementation arrangements for moving towards the new political system.

The third phase will involve building a ‘constitutional framework, reintegration of refugees and development’ for Afghanistan moving forward.

A senior government official said Ghani has already shared his roadmap with foreign capitals.&nbsp;

A date for the Turkey meeting is yet to be decided, but multiple sources said it could take place in two weeks’ time.

The Afghan government and a number of politicians said they would have to agree on an agenda with the Taliban before the meeting.

In a statement last month, the Taliban threatened to resume hostilities against foreign troops in Afghanistan if they did not meet the May 1 deadline envisaged in an agreement between the insurgents and the Trump administration last year.

US President Joe Biden said this month it would be ‘hard’ to withdraw the last US troops from Afghanistan by May 1 ‘just in terms of tactical reasons’, but he said he did not think they still would be there next year.

A senior government official said the Taliban was willing to extend the May 1 dateline and would not resume attacks against foreign forces in exchange for the release of thousands of their prisoners held by the Kabul authorities.&nbsp;

Mohammad Naeem, a Taliban spokesman in Qatar, said no such offer had been made.

(With inputs from agencies)

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will put forward a three-phase peace roadmap for Afghanistan during a proposed meeting in Turkey, seeking an agreement with the Taliban and a ceasefire before elections, a document shows.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will put forward a three-phase peace roadmap for Afghanistan during a proposed meeting in Turkey, seeking an agreement with the Taliban and a ceasefire before elections, a document shows. Washington is pushing for a conference to be hosted by Turkey, with UN involvement, this month to finalise a peace deal between the government and the Taliban as a May 1 deadline looms for the withdrawal of all foreign troops. Ghani’s plan will be presented as a counter to proposals put forward by Washington, rejected by the Afghan government, that envisage immediately drawing up a new legal system for an interim administration to include Taliban representatives. The document shows Ghani’s ‘Reaching an Endstate’ proposal will include, in the first phase, a consensus on a political settlement and an internationally monitored ceasefire. The second phase will be holding a presidential election and the establishment of a ‘government of peace’ and implementation arrangements for moving towards the new political system. The third phase will involve building a ‘constitutional framework, reintegration of refugees and development’ for Afghanistan moving forward. A senior government official said Ghani has already shared his roadmap with foreign capitals. A date for the Turkey meeting is yet to be decided, but multiple sources said it could take place in two weeks’ time. The Afghan government and a number of politicians said they would have to agree on an agenda with the Taliban before the meeting. In a statement last month, the Taliban threatened to resume hostilities against foreign troops in Afghanistan if they did not meet the May 1 deadline envisaged in an agreement between the insurgents and the Trump administration last year. US President Joe Biden said this month it would be ‘hard’ to withdraw the last US troops from Afghanistan by May 1 ‘just in terms of tactical reasons’, but he said he did not think they still would be there next year. A senior government official said the Taliban was willing to extend the May 1 dateline and would not resume attacks against foreign forces in exchange for the release of thousands of their prisoners held by the Kabul authorities. Mohammad Naeem, a Taliban spokesman in Qatar, said no such offer had been made. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan President proposes peace roadmap in three phases, says document

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be in New Delhi on a two-day visit on April 5-6, with a focus on Russian President Vladimir Putin's India visit and Afghanistan. Lavrov will hold a meeting with his Indian counterpart External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and call on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"On April 5th and 6th, Russian FM will visit New Delhi and hold talks with his Indian counterpart. They will discuss the current status of bilateral relations and preparation of the summit meeting, cooperation in fighting the pandemic" Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova announced.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/russian-foreign-minister-sergey-lavrov-to-visit-india-next-week-374518">Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit India next week</a>

WION broke the story first on Wednesday, with all the details. This is the first visit of any top Russian government official to India this year.&nbsp;

Lavrov will be accompanied by the Russian special envoy on Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov. The development comes even as Moscow had hosted the troika plus talks--US, Russia, China and Pakistan on Afghanistan. India was not invited to the meet.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla was on a visit to Moscow during which he extended invitation to Lavrov to visit India. During FS's Moscow visit, a roadmap was decided on the high-level visits and engagement. The big focus will be the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual India Russia summit. The summit could not happen last year due to the Covid pandemic.

Interestingly, from Delhi, Lavrov will be going to Islamabad from April 6 to 7, accompanied by Kabulov again. Zakharova said, "He is going to have talks with his Pak counterpart on the status of ties, and strengthening of trade, counter-terror and Afghanistan".

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be in New Delhi on a two-day visit on April 5-6, with a focus on Russian President Vladimir Putin's India visit and Afghanistan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be in New Delhi on a two-day visit on April 5-6, with a focus on Russian President Vladimir Putin's India visit and Afghanistan. Lavrov will hold a meeting with his Indian counterpart External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and call on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "On April 5th and 6th, Russian FM will visit New Delhi and hold talks with his Indian counterpart. They will discuss the current status of bilateral relations and preparation of the summit meeting, cooperation in fighting the pandemic" Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova announced. Also read | Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit India next week WION broke the story first on Wednesday, with all the details. This is the first visit of any top Russian government official to India this year. Lavrov will be accompanied by the Russian special envoy on Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov. The development comes even as Moscow had hosted the troika plus talks--US, Russia, China and Pakistan on Afghanistan. India was not invited to the meet. Earlier this year, India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla was on a visit to Moscow during which he extended invitation to Lavrov to visit India. During FS's Moscow visit, a roadmap was decided on the high-level visits and engagement. The big focus will be the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual India Russia summit. The summit could not happen last year due to the Covid pandemic. Interestingly, from Delhi, Lavrov will be going to Islamabad from April 6 to 7, accompanied by Kabulov again. Zakharova said, "He is going to have talks with his Pak counterpart on the status of ties, and strengthening of trade, counter-terror and Afghanistan".

Russian foreign minister to arrive in New Delhi next week, with focus on Putin's India visit, Afghanistan

afghanistan-0

Afghanistan, News on Afghanistan, stories on Afghanistan, articles on Afghanistan, Afghanistan stories at Wion, Afghanistan news, Afghanistan latest news

afghanistan 0

Gravitas: Is Afghanistan ready for America's exit?

Has Taliban really changed?

Decoding India's role as Afghanistan set to begin a new chapter

Blinken flies to Afghanistan in show of support after Biden announces troops withdrawal

Biden announces to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by September 11

Antony Blinken makes unannounced visit to Afghanistan

Chabahar is not against China, Gwadar: Iranian foreign minister

Afghan, Indian NSAs speak in the backdrop of Biden's announcement of troop withdrawal

Taliban warns US of 'countermeasures': Report

US troops in Afghanistan: The 20-year war

'Terrorism far from over', says China about US troop pullout plan from Afghanistan

US has ability to keep eye on any resurgence of al Qaeda in Afghanistan: White House

US to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by September 11, extending May 1 deadline

US to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by September 11, extending May 1 deadline

Experts flag concerns for India as Biden announces the US, NATO troop pullout from Afghanistan

Gravitas: US to withdraw from Afghanistan on Sept 11

Blinken visits Kabul in show of support after Biden announces troops withdrawal

India concerned over US troops' forthcoming exit from Afghanistan

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Afghanistan on a surprise visit

Biden says 'time to end' US war in Afghanistan with total pullout

Biden to pull out all US troops from Afghanistan by September 11

'Time to bring our forces home': US on Afghan pullout

Britain to withdraw nearly all its troops from Afghanistan, says report

Clashes leave 65 dead in Afghanistan: Monitoring agency

The lucrative "geo-politics" of hosting Afghan peace talks: What will Doha, Istanbul get?

Blinken to return to Brussels for talks on Ukraine, Afghanistan