During the interview, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group wants good relations with all countries while adding that women will be given their rights in Afghanistan.

Mujahid also spoke about the Taliban's relations with Pakistan and how it views its relations with the United States.

WION: The United States and the Taliban for the first time after your group gained control of Kabul is on the table for talks. What are the key issues before both parties that are being deliberated upon? How do you view this entire development?

Zabihullah Mujahid: Islamic Emirate wants good relations with all the countries and America is also another foreign country for us, we want that whatever the fight was on for, the reason is now over.&nbsp;

We would want to have relations and contacts with all countries especially with America and for political reasons, we would want to continue this relationship. This relation would be beneficial for the people of Afghanistan and would also not be harmful either for America. We want that our trade, import-export should continue on a normal basis.&nbsp;

Our team is in Doha, who would be holding talks with decision-makers in the US. We would want to have developments done on multiple issues in talks with the US.

WION: The US military top bosses during their testimonies on Afghanistan before the US lawmakers said that the Taliban were terrorists and will remain so. Do you think the Biden administration has or will have a different opinion when they are on the table? Pentagon assertion would also mean there will be issues in getting the Taliban leaders off the UN sanction list?

Zabihullah Mujahid: The real thing is that in the United States system specifically within its Army there is greater mismanagement and disconnect.&nbsp;

First thing is that the Islamic Emirate[Taliban] never were terrorists nor are terrorists even now. The US has a wrong understanding, we reject it and we do not abide by it.&nbsp;

The United States in 2020 did an agreement with us in Doha, if we were terrorists, then why are they doing deals and agreements with terrorists - this is a bigger question mark on the US system.&nbsp;

The US generals and those part of the Army system for their own personal benefits talk about these things. When the war was in Afghanistan, the American generals for their private benefits were happy because of the war, that is the reason these generals say that we are terrorists.&nbsp;

We want that these generals who have created instability should be removed and whatever that they have been saying, should be put to a halt. We want that Afghanistan’s political and economic condition should be stable which would be beneficial for both the people of Afghanistan and the United States.

We want to have good political and diplomatic relations globally. We would want to maintain good ties. And we are trying to keep up at pace the reason we are holding meetings with different leaders from the international community. And we want that we should be recognised and whatever problems that may arise for recognition, we are willing to address them at the earliest.

WION: How big is the problem as we have witnessed an&nbsp;escalation in violence and attacks recently especially, how worrisome is the use of Uighur Muslims as suicide bombers by IS in the Kunduz mosque attack. Does the Taliban have the wherewithal to tackle them?

Zabihullah Mujahid: Daesh is not a bigger problem. They conduct these cowardly acts and this blast was at a mosque targeting innocents, what IS is doing is inhumane.&nbsp;

Our forces will soon be arresting those who are behind it and we are conducting an operation to eradicate Daesh. Sleeper cells of IS will soon be busted and we will eliminate them. IS should not be taken as a problem and in fact, it’s a challenge, more of a resistance to our system and we will very soon eliminate them.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/talibans-deputy-information-minister-zabihullah-mujahid-speaks-to-wion-419743/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

WION: We have seen the Taliban engaging with envoys of various countries and representatives of international organisations so far. But everyone has distanced themselves when it comes to recognition. Why is it so? How much importance does the Taliban lay on global recognition and do you see it happening?

Zabihullah Mujahid: Actually, we want to have good political, economic and diplomatic relations with all the global community.&nbsp;

We have been trying to hold telephonic conversations with different world leaders or hold meetings with them so that it can lead towards recognition. If there are any issues towards our recognition, perhaps they can be resolved at the earliest. The Islamic Emirate is trying through positive steps to get to a good and logical way to get recognition because it is the right of the people of Afghanistan now that the war is over, they need economic support given the current situation.&nbsp;

We would want assistance and for that we need assistance from different people because it is the right of Afghan people to lead a good life.

WION: Countries like China, Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan have come out strongly for engaging with the Taliban, but do you think that's enough?

Zabihullah Mujahid: No, this is not enough but we need to take this line and move forward.&nbsp;

We want that they should walk the talk and that they should work with us in trade, economic, and political sectors. Their embassies should remain functional and that our friendly relations should continue with them.

WION: India carried out and was associated with several developmental projects in Afghanistan. What is the role that you see for India? How do you intend to move forward on these projects and India?

Zabihullah Mujahid: We would want that all countries would continue with their assistance with the Afghan government. We would give them the way and encourage all countries to work here for development. With India, we would want to have good relations and if they want to work in Afghanistan for development, then there would be no issues for that at all.&nbsp;

We believe that all countries who want to be of developmental assistance to Afghanistan are welcome.

WION: Women inclusivity in particular has been a sticking point with the global community and all the countries. No women have found space in the two cabinet inductions that have already taken place. How would you guarantee women's rights when they have no voice?

Zabihullah Mujahid: I would want to say that rights to women will be given. We want an order to be established. Rights under Islamic Sharia that have been given for women, Islamic Emirate will try to give them the same especially when it comes to education and their occupation, that has to be given.&nbsp;

A mechanism needs to be made for this. Our leaders are working on this mechanism. It's not that women will not be allowed to work. For now, women are there at the airport, at the hospital and are working.

WION: What is the role that you see for Pakistan and how is the Afghan Taliban engaging with Pakistan on curbing the TTP as recently PM Imran Khan had stated?

Zabihullah Mujahid: It is absolutely essential to convey that we have a good governance system. Countries that want assistance from us, we will give our point of view and opinion on it.&nbsp;

We want all wars to end in all the countries, we advocate for peace in the region. Because if war is there then there is interference by countries.&nbsp;

Islamic Emirate will try to ensure that its relations with all countries be good.&nbsp;

Pakistan's problem with the TTP is their own and we do not want to interfere, but at the same time, we want to assure that our soil should not be used by anyone for their own benefits. And we would not want to interfere in any country’s internal problems. And if any country wants cooperation with us, we would do say within our limits.

WION: Is the Taliban aware of the resistance leaders like Saleh and Massoud and do you have any messages for them?

Zabihullah Mujahid: All I know is that the two have run away from their own country, either they are in Tajikistan or in some other country.&nbsp;

And my message to them is that they should let go of the war and come back to their own country and the people of Afghanistan are getting closer to each other.&nbsp;

The time to fight is over, and our aim is on economic development for the betterment of our people. And we want our armed forces to be organised and for that, I want to tell them that we are not ill-willed, and we would want to invite them back to our country, their country, that they should come back and live as Afghans because they have the right to live as Afghans in their own homeland.

WION: Will you allow people specifically SIVs, those skilled professionals to leave, will the Taliban allow them to leave the country through the airport?

Zabihullah Mujahid: Our wish for these skilled professionals is that they should not leave their country. &nbsp;

Afghanistan, their country needs them. We have more than once announced that we are trying to solve our economic problems from within. There is no need for people to go abroad and those who want to go abroad can go with their legal documentation. We would never stop anyone through the use of force.

During the interview, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group wants good relations with all countries while adding that women will be given their rights in Afghanistan.

During the interview, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group wants good relations with all countries while adding that women will be given their rights in Afghanistan. Mujahid also spoke about the Taliban's relations with Pakistan and how it views its relations with the United States. WION: The United States and the Taliban for the first time after your group gained control of Kabul is on the table for talks. What are the key issues before both parties that are being deliberated upon? How do you view this entire development? Zabihullah Mujahid: Islamic Emirate wants good relations with all the countries and America is also another foreign country for us, we want that whatever the fight was on for, the reason is now over. We would want to have relations and contacts with all countries especially with America and for political reasons, we would want to continue this relationship. This relation would be beneficial for the people of Afghanistan and would also not be harmful either for America. We want that our trade, import-export should continue on a normal basis. Our team is in Doha, who would be holding talks with decision-makers in the US. We would want to have developments done on multiple issues in talks with the US. WION: The US military top bosses during their testimonies on Afghanistan before the US lawmakers said that the Taliban were terrorists and will remain so. Do you think the Biden administration has or will have a different opinion when they are on the table? Pentagon assertion would also mean there will be issues in getting the Taliban leaders off the UN sanction list? Zabihullah Mujahid: The real thing is that in the United States system specifically within its Army there is greater mismanagement and disconnect. First thing is that the Islamic Emirate[Taliban] never were terrorists nor are terrorists even now. The US has a wrong understanding, we reject it and we do not abide by it. The United States in 2020 did an agreement with us in Doha, if we were terrorists, then why are they doing deals and agreements with terrorists - this is a bigger question mark on the US system. The US generals and those part of the Army system for their own personal benefits talk about these things. When the war was in Afghanistan, the American generals for their private benefits were happy because of the war, that is the reason these generals say that we are terrorists. We want that these generals who have created instability should be removed and whatever that they have been saying, should be put to a halt. We want that Afghanistan’s political and economic condition should be stable which would be beneficial for both the people of Afghanistan and the United States. We want to have good political and diplomatic relations globally. We would want to maintain good ties. And we are trying to keep up at pace the reason we are holding meetings with different leaders from the international community. And we want that we should be recognised and whatever problems that may arise for recognition, we are willing to address them at the earliest. WION: How big is the problem as we have witnessed an escalation in violence and attacks recently especially, how worrisome is the use of Uighur Muslims as suicide bombers by IS in the Kunduz mosque attack. Does the Taliban have the wherewithal to tackle them? Zabihullah Mujahid: Daesh is not a bigger problem. They conduct these cowardly acts and this blast was at a mosque targeting innocents, what IS is doing is inhumane. Our forces will soon be arresting those who are behind it and we are conducting an operation to eradicate Daesh. Sleeper cells of IS will soon be busted and we will eliminate them. IS should not be taken as a problem and in fact, it’s a challenge, more of a resistance to our system and we will very soon eliminate them. Watch: WION: We have seen the Taliban engaging with envoys of various countries and representatives of international organisations so far. But everyone has distanced themselves when it comes to recognition. Why is it so? How much importance does the Taliban lay on global recognition and do you see it happening? Zabihullah Mujahid: Actually, we want to have good political, economic and diplomatic relations with all the global community. We have been trying to hold telephonic conversations with different world leaders or hold meetings with them so that it can lead towards recognition. If there are any issues towards our recognition, perhaps they can be resolved at the earliest. The Islamic Emirate is trying through positive steps to get to a good and logical way to get recognition because it is the right of the people of Afghanistan now that the war is over, they need economic support given the current situation. We would want assistance and for that we need assistance from different people because it is the right of Afghan people to lead a good life. WION: Countries like China, Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan have come out strongly for engaging with the Taliban, but do you think that's enough? Zabihullah Mujahid: No, this is not enough but we need to take this line and move forward. We want that they should walk the talk and that they should work with us in trade, economic, and political sectors. Their embassies should remain functional and that our friendly relations should continue with them. WION: India carried out and was associated with several developmental projects in Afghanistan. What is the role that you see for India? How do you intend to move forward on these projects and India? Zabihullah Mujahid: We would want that all countries would continue with their assistance with the Afghan government. We would give them the way and encourage all countries to work here for development. With India, we would want to have good relations and if they want to work in Afghanistan for development, then there would be no issues for that at all. We believe that all countries who want to be of developmental assistance to Afghanistan are welcome. WION: Women inclusivity in particular has been a sticking point with the global community and all the countries. No women have found space in the two cabinet inductions that have already taken place. How would you guarantee women's rights when they have no voice? Zabihullah Mujahid: I would want to say that rights to women will be given. We want an order to be established. Rights under Islamic Sharia that have been given for women, Islamic Emirate will try to give them the same especially when it comes to education and their occupation, that has to be given. A mechanism needs to be made for this. Our leaders are working on this mechanism. It's not that women will not be allowed to work. For now, women are there at the airport, at the hospital and are working. WION: What is the role that you see for Pakistan and how is the Afghan Taliban engaging with Pakistan on curbing the TTP as recently PM Imran Khan had stated? Zabihullah Mujahid: It is absolutely essential to convey that we have a good governance system. Countries that want assistance from us, we will give our point of view and opinion on it. We want all wars to end in all the countries, we advocate for peace in the region. Because if war is there then there is interference by countries. Islamic Emirate will try to ensure that its relations with all countries be good. Pakistan's problem with the TTP is their own and we do not want to interfere, but at the same time, we want to assure that our soil should not be used by anyone for their own benefits. And we would not want to interfere in any country’s internal problems. And if any country wants cooperation with us, we would do say within our limits. WION: Is the Taliban aware of the resistance leaders like Saleh and Massoud and do you have any messages for them? Zabihullah Mujahid: All I know is that the two have run away from their own country, either they are in Tajikistan or in some other country. And my message to them is that they should let go of the war and come back to their own country and the people of Afghanistan are getting closer to each other. The time to fight is over, and our aim is on economic development for the betterment of our people. And we want our armed forces to be organised and for that, I want to tell them that we are not ill-willed, and we would want to invite them back to our country, their country, that they should come back and live as Afghans because they have the right to live as Afghans in their own homeland. WION: Will you allow people specifically SIVs, those skilled professionals to leave, will the Taliban allow them to leave the country through the airport? Zabihullah Mujahid: Our wish for these skilled professionals is that they should not leave their country. Afghanistan, their country needs them. We have more than once announced that we are trying to solve our economic problems from within. There is no need for people to go abroad and those who want to go abroad can go with their legal documentation. We would never stop anyone through the use of force.

Taliban are not terrorists, US has a wrong understanding: Zabihullah Mujahid to WION

According to reports, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general General Faiz Hameed hosted intelligence chiefs from China, Russia and other central Asian countries in Islamabad to discuss the <a href="'Destroying everything': Audio reportedly shows cracks in Pakistan, Taliban relations">Afghanistan</a> situation.

Pakistan's ISI chief General Faiz Hameed had earlier visited Kabul ahead of Taliban's cabinet announcement this week.

Reports claimed intelligence chiefs from Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan also took part in the discussions.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-taliban-flag-raised-in-kabul-on-911-anniversary-412499/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Qatar's media had said earlier that Qatar's foreign minister had met his Iranian counterpart in Tehran this week to discuss the unfolding situation in Afghanistan amid the Taliban's takeover of the country. Iran has a 900-kilometre border with Afghanistan and has already taken thousands of Afghan refugees.

Iran's foreign ministry had earlier condemned the Taliban's military offensive in Panjshir Valley calling it a "worrying" development.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/terrorist-vs-terrorist-al-qaeda-leader-zawahiri-claims-credit-for-911-islamic-state-asks-if-he-is-still-alive-412505">Also Read:&nbsp;Al Qaeda leader Zawahiri claims credit for 9/11, Islamic State asks if he is still alive</a>

Taliban had seized border crossings along&nbsp;Tajikistan&nbsp;during its march towards Kabul as Russia stepped in to supply arms to the country and boosted its military base in the country.

Russia had sent armoured vehicles and military equipment to Tajikistan to shore up its military amid the Taliban's growing influence in the border areas.

Russian President Putin had declared that his country will not meddle in Afghanistan "or involve our military in a conflict where everyone is against each other."

"The Soviet Union had its own experience in this country. We have learned the lessons we needed," the Russian president said.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

According to reports, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general General Faiz Hameed hosted intelligence chiefs from China, Russia and other central Asian countries in Islamabad to discuss the Afghanistan situation.

According to reports, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general General Faiz Hameed hosted intelligence chiefs from China, Russia and other central Asian countries in Islamabad to discuss the Afghanistan situation. Pakistan's ISI chief General Faiz Hameed had earlier visited Kabul ahead of Taliban's cabinet announcement this week. Reports claimed intelligence chiefs from Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan also took part in the discussions. Watch: Qatar's media had said earlier that Qatar's foreign minister had met his Iranian counterpart in Tehran this week to discuss the unfolding situation in Afghanistan amid the Taliban's takeover of the country. Iran has a 900-kilometre border with Afghanistan and has already taken thousands of Afghan refugees. Iran's foreign ministry had earlier condemned the Taliban's military offensive in Panjshir Valley calling it a "worrying" development. Also Read: Al Qaeda leader Zawahiri claims credit for 9/11, Islamic State asks if he is still alive Taliban had seized border crossings along Tajikistan during its march towards Kabul as Russia stepped in to supply arms to the country and boosted its military base in the country. Russia had sent armoured vehicles and military equipment to Tajikistan to shore up its military amid the Taliban's growing influence in the border areas. Russian President Putin had declared that his country will not meddle in Afghanistan "or involve our military in a conflict where everyone is against each other." "The Soviet Union had its own experience in this country. We have learned the lessons we needed," the Russian president said. (With inputs from Agencies)

Intelligence chiefs from Russia, China & central Asia meet in Pakistan to discuss Afghanistan

According to reports, an audio clip purportedly belonging to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hard-to-explain-to-anybody-biden-defends-us-pullout-from-afghanistan-on-911-anniversary-412447">Taliban</a> leader Mullah Fazel Akhund in which he is heard saying &nbsp;"Punjab destroyed everything" has gone viral on social media.

The audio clip also reportedly mentions Mullah Fazel, Taliban's deputy defence minister referring to ISI chief&nbsp;General Faiz Hameed&nbsp;recent visit to Afghanistan as "guest (ISI chief) ruined Afghanistan's entire future and another war is expecting".&nbsp;

Pakistan's intelligence chief was in Kabul ahead of Taliban's interim cabinet announcement this week. The Taliban was criticised for not including an inclusive government and leaving out women from the cabinet.

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Audio file of a Taliban leader who is saying, "Punjab destroyed everything", "in Arg between Taliban there was a huge fight and there is still a lot of problems between Taliban", "guest (ISI chief) ruined Afghanistan's entire future and another war is expecting". 
 
👇 audio file <a href="https://t.co/WtTU6HBZD0">pic.twitter.com/WtTU6HBZD0</a>
— Natiq Malikzada (@natiqmalikzada) <a href="https://twitter.com/natiqmalikzada/status/1436393959526338560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/talibans-finance-ministry-tells-female-staff-to-stay-at-home-report-412441">Taliban</a> had named Sirajuddin Haqqani as the country's interior minister. The Haqqani Network has been on the FBI's most-wanted list. The Taliban also named Khalil Haqqani as the acting minister for refugees. Reports claimed Pakistan's ISI chief was in Kabul to reportedly mediate between the Taliban and the Haqqanis.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-burqa-clad-women-march-with-taliban-flag-412521/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In a video earlier, Pakistan minister Sheikh Rashid had reportedly said,&nbsp;"We are the custodians of Taliban leaders," adding,"They have got shelter, education, and a home in Pakistan."

Afghanistan's former vice president Amrullah Saleh in an interview to WION had said earlier that Pakistan has been helping terrorists and the country's foreign minister Shah Mahmood&nbsp;Qureshi was "acting like the foreign minister of Taliban".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/terrorist-vs-terrorist-al-qaeda-leader-zawahiri-claims-credit-for-911-islamic-state-asks-if-he-is-still-alive-412505">Also Read: Al Qaeda leader Zawahiri claims credit for 9/11, Islamic State asks if he is still alive</a>

“Pakistanis have made a miscalculation, a misjudgement,” Amrullah added.

As the Taliban consolidated its hold over the country, Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan informed that the country had sent a military aircraft carrying relief goods including flour, cooking oil and medicine. The ambassador said other relief flights will also arrive in Kandahar and Khost.

Social Media courtesy: Twitter-@natiqmalikzada

(With inputs from Agencies)

According to reports, an audio clip purportedly belonging to Taliban leader Mullah Fazel Akhund in which he is heard saying "Punjab destroyed everything" has gone viral on social media.

According to reports, an audio clip purportedly belonging to Taliban leader Mullah Fazel Akhund in which he is heard saying "Punjab destroyed everything" has gone viral on social media. The audio clip also reportedly mentions Mullah Fazel, Taliban's deputy defence minister referring to ISI chief General Faiz Hameed recent visit to Afghanistan as "guest (ISI chief) ruined Afghanistan's entire future and another war is expecting". Pakistan's intelligence chief was in Kabul ahead of Taliban's interim cabinet announcement this week. The Taliban was criticised for not including an inclusive government and leaving out women from the cabinet. Audio file of a Taliban leader who is saying, "Punjab destroyed everything", "in Arg between Taliban there was a huge fight and there is still a lot of problems between Taliban", "guest (ISI chief) ruined Afghanistan's entire future and another war is expecting". 👇 audio file pic.twitter.com/WtTU6HBZD0 — Natiq Malikzada (@natiqmalikzada) September 10, 2021 × Taliban had named Sirajuddin Haqqani as the country's interior minister. The Haqqani Network has been on the FBI's most-wanted list. The Taliban also named Khalil Haqqani as the acting minister for refugees. Reports claimed Pakistan's ISI chief was in Kabul to reportedly mediate between the Taliban and the Haqqanis. Watch: In a video earlier, Pakistan minister Sheikh Rashid had reportedly said, "We are the custodians of Taliban leaders," adding,"They have got shelter, education, and a home in Pakistan." Afghanistan's former vice president Amrullah Saleh in an interview to WION had said earlier that Pakistan has been helping terrorists and the country's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was "acting like the foreign minister of Taliban". Also Read: Al Qaeda leader Zawahiri claims credit for 9/11, Islamic State asks if he is still alive “Pakistanis have made a miscalculation, a misjudgement,” Amrullah added. As the Taliban consolidated its hold over the country, Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan informed that the country had sent a military aircraft carrying relief goods including flour, cooking oil and medicine. The ambassador said other relief flights will also arrive in Kandahar and Khost. Social Media courtesy: Twitter-@natiqmalikzada (With inputs from Agencies)

'Destroying everything': Audio reportedly shows cracks in Pakistan, Taliban relations

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid has expressed the desire to join China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) as the militant group consolidates its hold over<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/four-americans-leave-afghanistan-by-land-us-diplomats-receive-nationals-411251"> Afghanistan</a>.

The move comes as representatives from the Taliban and China met in Kabul on Monday.

Abdul Salam Hanifi, an official from the Taliban's political office met with the Chinese ambassador to Kabul, Wang Yu, as the two purportedly discussed bilateral issues.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ground-report-what-happened-after-the-taliban-took-panjshir-411241/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Reports said the ambassador pledged China's continued humanitarian aid to the Taliban. Beijing had reiterated a similar stance earlier on the Afghan issue as the country grapples with crisis after the US exit from the region.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin also expressed support to Afghanistan on forming an "open, inclusive and broadly representative government". &nbsp;

"China's position on the Afghan issue is clear and consistent. We have always respected Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity," Wang Wenbin said.

"We always support Afghanistan in forming an open, inclusive and broadly representative government which follows moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies and resolutely combats terrorist forces in all forms," the foreign ministry spokesman added.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid earlier on Monday had said that the Taliban hopes for cooperation with China in many fields including economy, trade, infrastructure and natural gas.

"CPEC is a useful project and we look forward to implementing Afghanistan’s part of the project," Mujahid said.

CPEC is a part of China's most ambitious 'Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) project aimed at renewing the country's historic trade routes in the coastal countries of Southeast Asia.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid has expressed the desire to join China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) as the militant group consolidates its hold over Afghanistan.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid has expressed the desire to join China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) as the militant group consolidates its hold over Afghanistan. The move comes as representatives from the Taliban and China met in Kabul on Monday. Abdul Salam Hanifi, an official from the Taliban's political office met with the Chinese ambassador to Kabul, Wang Yu, as the two purportedly discussed bilateral issues. Watch: Reports said the ambassador pledged China's continued humanitarian aid to the Taliban. Beijing had reiterated a similar stance earlier on the Afghan issue as the country grapples with crisis after the US exit from the region. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin also expressed support to Afghanistan on forming an "open, inclusive and broadly representative government". "China's position on the Afghan issue is clear and consistent. We have always respected Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity," Wang Wenbin said. "We always support Afghanistan in forming an open, inclusive and broadly representative government which follows moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies and resolutely combats terrorist forces in all forms," the foreign ministry spokesman added. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid earlier on Monday had said that the Taliban hopes for cooperation with China in many fields including economy, trade, infrastructure and natural gas. "CPEC is a useful project and we look forward to implementing Afghanistan’s part of the project," Mujahid said. CPEC is a part of China's most ambitious 'Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) project aimed at renewing the country's historic trade routes in the coastal countries of Southeast Asia. (With inputs from Agencies)

CPEC is useful, look forward to implementing Afghanistan’s part: Taliban

As the Taliban&nbsp;captures two provincial capitals, the UN envoy has reported to the UNSC about the Afghan war entering a deadlier and more destructive phase, with over 1000 civilian casualties.

The US may have declared ending its military mission in Afghanistan as “Mission Accomplished" on the "Global War on Terrorism"&nbsp;(GWOT)”, but in reality, its embarrassing exit will continue to haunt its reputation for a long time.

With Taliban gaining territory every passing day&nbsp;simultaneously imposing horrifying restrictions on captured territory as "Islamic traditions"&nbsp;it indicates the transition of GWOT into global resurgence of terror&nbsp;in collusion with Pakistan.

Other regional stakeholders are concerned&nbsp;but are watching helplessly&nbsp;trying to mitigate the situation by talks. It is evident the strategy adopted by the Taliban&nbsp;assisted by Pakistan has done better than that of the US. A critical analysis of the strategies of each of the three&nbsp;directly involved in Afghanistan is necessary to infer future possibilities.

Why US lost GWOT in Afghanistan?

The US supported by multinational forces entered GWOT, post 9/11 incident&nbsp;with an aim to dislodge the Taliban regime&nbsp;which sheltered al-Qaeda under Osama Bin Laden&nbsp;who masterminded the execution of the barbarous terrorist act in New York.

Their military aim encompassed ensuring that no terror group in Afghanistan becomes strong enough to hit their mainland again, besides eliminating Osama Bin Laden and some other terrorist leaders.

Peace and development in Afghanistan was an expected side-effect, not their main aim. To execute it, the US had to depend on Pakistan for logistics chain, intelligence and boots on the ground&nbsp;despite full knowledge of Pakistan’s support to Taliban and other terror groups&nbsp;having gainfully used services of ISI and Pakistan Army against erstwhile USSR.

As per principles of war, had the US stuck to its aim and exited after dislodging the Taliban regime, reinstating a democratically elected government in place, eliminating Osama Bin Laden, marginalising al-Qaeda and other terror groups, it would have been a graceful exit.

It stretched its aim to an impractical limit&nbsp;of eliminating the Taliban and other Islamic terror outfits from Afghan soil, least realising that the military power by itself can’t eliminate Wahabi ideology. Finding only military solution to the problem of religious fundamentalism was a strategic misjudgement. This shifted the achievement of the aim of multinational forces (MNF)&nbsp;beyond their culmination point, operationally.

MNF was fighting from urban bases&nbsp;through technology and airpower could not eliminate the Taliban from rural areas. People are the centre of gravity in such operations&nbsp;hence one innocent killed in the collateral damage of airstrikes can lead to the birth of many terrorists&nbsp;strengthening the ideology of fundamentalists.

Battle fatigue and political considerations steered the desire of MNF to pull out. In exuberance to do so, sham peace negotiations of the US with the Taliban (which turned out to be an exit deal) was the next error committed by the US. It legitimised the Taliban as a political entity from terrorist status&nbsp;which led to a tired US military, fighting a defensive battle against a resurgent, legalised Taliban for a safe exit.

The US consistently underplayed Pakistan’s support to Sunni terrorists in the region&nbsp;making it a major beneficiary of monetary help and military hardware. It is to the credit of Pakistan that it lured the US to extract maximum&nbsp;by encashing their expertise in terrorism and finally helping the&nbsp;US in defeating itself in GWOT.

Now after 20 years of war, losing 2,400 soldiers and&nbsp;more than $3 trillion, the US and MNF have also lost the strategic space, bases in Pakistan, amounting to a walkover in the AF-Pak region.

A threat by the US&nbsp;not to recognise Taliban, if it takes over Afghanistan by force, forming Quad with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, some drone strikes and evacuating informers are weak responses to mitigate embarrassment indicating its helplessness. US continues to depend on Pakistan&nbsp;with a hope that it might need Pakistan again&nbsp;least realising that its strategic choices are hostage to China and it has no utility to the US, as its NSA recently threatened to say that if the President of the US can’t talk to his PM, “They have other options”.

Is the strategy adopted by the Taliban superior?

A battle-hardened Taliban having learnt some lessons after losing the war against MNF&nbsp;managed to survive in rural areas with full support of Pakistan&nbsp;hosting some of their leaders in safe sanctuaries in their country&nbsp;despite claiming to fight for the US and MNF.

When the MNF crossed their culmination point, the Taliban with Pakistan’s support started expanding in rural areas.

Taliban encashed on the combat fatigue of US forces and its political ramifications&nbsp;encouraged the US administration to talk, establishing its legitimacy as an essential actor. Pakistan’s mediation in this exercise favoured the Taliban and not the US, although the optics was differently narrated.

Thus a rejuvenated Taliban was fighting tired US forces, operating from their bases avoiding rough terrain and infantry dominated operations&nbsp;relying more on technology and firepower&nbsp;which has serious limitations in the type of terrain in the area of operation. The air and drone strikes proved inadequate to prevent the growing influence of the Taliban.

With the US-Taliban peace deal signed and US withdrawal in progress, Taliban gained the maximum strategic advantage by consolidating occupation of rural areas and then increasingly capturing various border districts to takeover crossings of Afghanistan with other countries to isolate Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF)&nbsp;which have numerical superiority but are based in urban areas&nbsp;having a defensive mindset.

With few military gains, the strategic momentum of the Taliban has improved and initiative is on their side. This has increased the pace of capturing territory&nbsp;while their political and diplomatic wing continues with sham talks.

Taliban also encashed on the urgency of US forces to exit&nbsp;by putting up demands like the release of 5,000 prisoners&nbsp;which the Afghanistan government had agreed under US pressure. This in effect increased the number&nbsp;of fighters of the Taliban. In the meantime, Pakistan&nbsp;increasingly under pressure from FATF&nbsp;diverted over 10,000 terrorists to fight alongside the Afghan-Taliban, besides some professional guidance from Pakistan Army and ISI&nbsp;and occasional air support.

Taliban is now in a position to insert itself between important towns to isolate the ANDSF, struggling with low morale&nbsp;due to some surrenders.

Taliban's current strategic aim is to get into power structure on their terms&nbsp;without fighting any elections&nbsp;by putting maximum pressure on the negotiating table&nbsp;after capturing maximum territory.

Taliban is aware that with Sharia law tag it can never win an election (which it terms as non-Islamic governance model of West). It may not be keen to seize power by force due to fear of being isolated&nbsp;which will make it difficult for them to govern&nbsp;giving rise to forces countering them within Afghanistan.

They are aware that they don't have mass people's support&nbsp;who have got used to democracy in the last 20 years. Taliban thus finds talks and offensive simultaneously&nbsp;as their best option for a political solution in their favour.

Terror attacks in Kabul is to strike the minds of Afghan leadership to weaken their resolve and position on the negotiation table. On the political front the Taliban has also successfully managed a photo session with the Chinese hierarchy&nbsp;seeking more legitimacy in exchange of promise of not supporting ETIM&nbsp;which it may/may not fulfil.

All promises of Taliban leaders that it is moderate Taliban in 2021 capable of meeting people's aspirations&nbsp;stand junked as Shariah Law-like curbs are back in place in Taliban controlled areas. Men lose the freedom to shave &amp; smoke, women lose freedom and most disgusting is the listing of single girls between 15 to 45 years&nbsp;to be married to Taliban fighters as a "reward". Even if the Taliban leaders pose as moderates&nbsp;their fighters will not let the leaders settle down for anything but Shariah law.

Pakistan’s double game: Unprecedented opportunity with some concerns!

Pakistan’s strategic aim has always been to seek strategic depth in Afghanistan by enforcing the Durand Line over friendly or weak government in Kabul&nbsp;and edging out other players from Afghanistan.

It has been uncomfortable with the Indian presence for developmental work in Afghanistan and growing closeness between the USA and India to an extent that it was propagating an unsalable narrative that India is trying to encircle it.

Pakistan's&nbsp;nexus with the Taliban is quite old and its assistance to it was one of the causes of the US failure in Afghanistan&nbsp;as it manages to play a double game with the US and Taliban. It was also an opportunity for Pakistan to send out a large number of terrorists to fight alongside the Afghan-Taliban&nbsp;whom it wanted to relocate&nbsp;to avoid FATF fallouts and preserve what it terms them as their "strategic assets"&nbsp;to be used elsewhere later.

The opportunity is also marred with some serious concerns. Taliban in power never compromised on Durand Line and their stance in future is likely to be similar. Taliban also has many groups within including TTP&nbsp;which will also get stronger to strike Pakistan&nbsp;as the power of the Taliban grows.

Innumerable refugees outflow along with some inimical terror groups is also a concern. Pakistan’s strategy of joining hands with the Taliban while&nbsp;dumping Ghani’s government and luring China in this strategic space has gone off well so far. It has also been successful in edging out the US and India out of Afghanistan&nbsp;with its terrorists incrementally damaging Indian built assets.

What is going wrong with ANDSF strategy?

ANDSF in numbers are two to three times more than Taliban fighters&nbsp;but are low in morale&nbsp;suffering a defensive mindset. They are not venturing out of urban areas and trying to halt the Taliban with less potent air power in comparison to Americans.

Over the last&nbsp;20 years, they went into a syndrome of overdependence on foreign forces and foreign aid. The Afghan government with fractured mandate and various groups eyeing to share power&nbsp;weakened the homogeneity&nbsp;as an effective establishment to govern.

In military strategy, a defender can never win, but can at best delay defeat. Operationally ANDSF is&nbsp;making the same mistake as MNF made by trying to win by airpower and defending bases&nbsp;thus leaving the initiative with the Taliban.

If ANDSF fights with an offensive mindset, effective use of available airpower and sound strategy, small gains can improve sagging morale&nbsp;which can change the tide against the Taliban.

Response of other stakeholders!

The US also tried the idea of outsourcing regional peace in Afghanistan to regional stakeholders. All other stakeholders are concerned with the likelihood of export of terrorism&nbsp;but are gravely short of options and leverages&nbsp;as no one is keen to put boots on the ground&nbsp;knowing fully well that no foreign recipe of peace in Afghanistan has worked in past&nbsp;nor will it work in future.

Almost every neighbour (Russia, Pakistan, China, Iran, CAR and Qatar) are organising peace talks between various stakeholders, primarily to suit their own interests&nbsp;making no headway.

China&nbsp;keen on&nbsp;connectivity and economic exploitation of Afghanistan&nbsp;is hesitant on&nbsp;becoming the third power (after USSR and USA) to suffer in the “Graveyard of Empires”&nbsp;hence will prefer working through Pakistan&nbsp;till the power structure stabilise.

India has always emphasised on Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, Afghan-controlled, elected, democratic government and has invested a&nbsp;tremendous amount of goodwill in the people of Afghanistan and Ghani’s government through a large amount of development projects&nbsp;and capacity building of various institutions including ANDSF&nbsp;with a cumulative sunk cost of $3 billion.

India suffers from a major handicap that despite being a legal neighbour of Afghanistan&nbsp;it doesn’t physically hold a&nbsp;common border, thus has no direct land route. It&nbsp;reduces the capability of India to directly influence outcomes in Afghanistan&nbsp;hence it was never taken seriously by other stakeholders even during talks. Diplomatically India has left no stone unturned to mitigate the crisis.

Way ahead

There is a need to boost the morale of Afghan forces&nbsp;with air support, military assets and maintenance of its existing damaged air assets. An offensive mindset and sound military strategy can turn the tide in ANDSF's&nbsp;favour. They need to focus on recapturing border crossings, utilise other supporting non-state actors in engaging the Taliban to weaken blockades with guerrilla tactics. The momentum of the Taliban can break while fighting in urban areas due to weak peoples&nbsp;support, lesser numbers, and no air resources. There is a need to create a viable countervailing force within Afghanistan.

There is a need for the UNSC to rein/sanction Pakistan for&nbsp;adding strength to the Taliban by using its non-state actors against an elected government of another&nbsp;country&nbsp;for the sake of innocent people, women&nbsp;and children of Afghanistan.

While the statements condemning violence have been issued, but there is a need for a resolution against sponsors and global condemnation of the Taliban’s effort to takeover by force.

India as the president UNSC&nbsp;continues to highlight the issue of violence and atrocities by terrorists in Afghanistan&nbsp;and flags the reports of the Afghan government and UN regarding almost 10,000 Pakistani terrorists fighting alongside the Taliban against the democratically elected government.

If left to Afghan people, civil war will continue and the Taliban even if in power&nbsp;will also face an unprecedented cycle of instability from angry population resenting Sharia law and rival groups in Afghanistan and within the Taliban.

Various tribes and terror groups will ensure that no single entity or foreign player gets that strategic space exclusively. It is unlikely that China-Pakistan will find it easy to exploit the situation amid&nbsp;expected instability.

It&nbsp;will certainly have a telling effect on the regional and global security situation&nbsp;as the Af-Pak region will become the largest breeding ground for terrorism&nbsp;with some of the terror groups again becoming strong enough to strike the US, EU, China, India or CAR.

Afghanistan seems to be heading for a situation wherein different areas will be under influence of different entities, leaving the helpless population&nbsp;suffering under the hands of fundamentalists, if no mid-course correction is undertaken.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

As the Taliban captures two provincial capitals, the UN envoy has reported to the UNSC about the Afghan war entering a deadlier and more destructive phase, with over 1000 civilian casualties.

As the Taliban captures two provincial capitals, the UN envoy has reported to the UNSC about the Afghan war entering a deadlier and more destructive phase, with over 1000 civilian casualties. The US may have declared ending its military mission in Afghanistan as “Mission Accomplished" on the "Global War on Terrorism" (GWOT)”, but in reality, its embarrassing exit will continue to haunt its reputation for a long time. With Taliban gaining territory every passing day simultaneously imposing horrifying restrictions on captured territory as "Islamic traditions" it indicates the transition of GWOT into global resurgence of terror in collusion with Pakistan. Other regional stakeholders are concerned but are watching helplessly trying to mitigate the situation by talks. It is evident the strategy adopted by the Taliban assisted by Pakistan has done better than that of the US. A critical analysis of the strategies of each of the three directly involved in Afghanistan is necessary to infer future possibilities. Why US lost GWOT in Afghanistan? The US supported by multinational forces entered GWOT, post 9/11 incident with an aim to dislodge the Taliban regime which sheltered al-Qaeda under Osama Bin Laden who masterminded the execution of the barbarous terrorist act in New York. Their military aim encompassed ensuring that no terror group in Afghanistan becomes strong enough to hit their mainland again, besides eliminating Osama Bin Laden and some other terrorist leaders. Peace and development in Afghanistan was an expected side-effect, not their main aim. To execute it, the US had to depend on Pakistan for logistics chain, intelligence and boots on the ground despite full knowledge of Pakistan’s support to Taliban and other terror groups having gainfully used services of ISI and Pakistan Army against erstwhile USSR. As per principles of war, had the US stuck to its aim and exited after dislodging the Taliban regime, reinstating a democratically elected government in place, eliminating Osama Bin Laden, marginalising al-Qaeda and other terror groups, it would have been a graceful exit. It stretched its aim to an impractical limit of eliminating the Taliban and other Islamic terror outfits from Afghan soil, least realising that the military power by itself can’t eliminate Wahabi ideology. Finding only military solution to the problem of religious fundamentalism was a strategic misjudgement. This shifted the achievement of the aim of multinational forces (MNF) beyond their culmination point, operationally. MNF was fighting from urban bases through technology and airpower could not eliminate the Taliban from rural areas. People are the centre of gravity in such operations hence one innocent killed in the collateral damage of airstrikes can lead to the birth of many terrorists strengthening the ideology of fundamentalists. Battle fatigue and political considerations steered the desire of MNF to pull out. In exuberance to do so, sham peace negotiations of the US with the Taliban (which turned out to be an exit deal) was the next error committed by the US. It legitimised the Taliban as a political entity from terrorist status which led to a tired US military, fighting a defensive battle against a resurgent, legalised Taliban for a safe exit. The US consistently underplayed Pakistan’s support to Sunni terrorists in the region making it a major beneficiary of monetary help and military hardware. It is to the credit of Pakistan that it lured the US to extract maximum by encashing their expertise in terrorism and finally helping the US in defeating itself in GWOT. Now after 20 years of war, losing 2,400 soldiers and more than $3 trillion, the US and MNF have also lost the strategic space, bases in Pakistan, amounting to a walkover in the AF-Pak region. A threat by the US not to recognise Taliban, if it takes over Afghanistan by force, forming Quad with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, some drone strikes and evacuating informers are weak responses to mitigate embarrassment indicating its helplessness. US continues to depend on Pakistan with a hope that it might need Pakistan again least realising that its strategic choices are hostage to China and it has no utility to the US, as its NSA recently threatened to say that if the President of the US can’t talk to his PM, “They have other options”. Is the strategy adopted by the Taliban superior? A battle-hardened Taliban having learnt some lessons after losing the war against MNF managed to survive in rural areas with full support of Pakistan hosting some of their leaders in safe sanctuaries in their country despite claiming to fight for the US and MNF. When the MNF crossed their culmination point, the Taliban with Pakistan’s support started expanding in rural areas. Taliban encashed on the combat fatigue of US forces and its political ramifications encouraged the US administration to talk, establishing its legitimacy as an essential actor. Pakistan’s mediation in this exercise favoured the Taliban and not the US, although the optics was differently narrated. Thus a rejuvenated Taliban was fighting tired US forces, operating from their bases avoiding rough terrain and infantry dominated operations relying more on technology and firepower which has serious limitations in the type of terrain in the area of operation. The air and drone strikes proved inadequate to prevent the growing influence of the Taliban. With the US-Taliban peace deal signed and US withdrawal in progress, Taliban gained the maximum strategic advantage by consolidating occupation of rural areas and then increasingly capturing various border districts to takeover crossings of Afghanistan with other countries to isolate Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) which have numerical superiority but are based in urban areas having a defensive mindset. With few military gains, the strategic momentum of the Taliban has improved and initiative is on their side. This has increased the pace of capturing territory while their political and diplomatic wing continues with sham talks. Taliban also encashed on the urgency of US forces to exit by putting up demands like the release of 5,000 prisoners which the Afghanistan government had agreed under US pressure. This in effect increased the number of fighters of the Taliban. In the meantime, Pakistan increasingly under pressure from FATF diverted over 10,000 terrorists to fight alongside the Afghan-Taliban, besides some professional guidance from Pakistan Army and ISI and occasional air support. Taliban is now in a position to insert itself between important towns to isolate the ANDSF, struggling with low morale due to some surrenders. Taliban's current strategic aim is to get into power structure on their terms without fighting any elections by putting maximum pressure on the negotiating table after capturing maximum territory. Taliban is aware that with Sharia law tag it can never win an election (which it terms as non-Islamic governance model of West). It may not be keen to seize power by force due to fear of being isolated which will make it difficult for them to govern giving rise to forces countering them within Afghanistan. They are aware that they don't have mass people's support who have got used to democracy in the last 20 years. Taliban thus finds talks and offensive simultaneously as their best option for a political solution in their favour. Terror attacks in Kabul is to strike the minds of Afghan leadership to weaken their resolve and position on the negotiation table. On the political front the Taliban has also successfully managed a photo session with the Chinese hierarchy seeking more legitimacy in exchange of promise of not supporting ETIM which it may/may not fulfil. All promises of Taliban leaders that it is moderate Taliban in 2021 capable of meeting people's aspirations stand junked as Shariah Law-like curbs are back in place in Taliban controlled areas. Men lose the freedom to shave & smoke, women lose freedom and most disgusting is the listing of single girls between 15 to 45 years to be married to Taliban fighters as a "reward". Even if the Taliban leaders pose as moderates their fighters will not let the leaders settle down for anything but Shariah law. Pakistan’s double game: Unprecedented opportunity with some concerns! Pakistan’s strategic aim has always been to seek strategic depth in Afghanistan by enforcing the Durand Line over friendly or weak government in Kabul and edging out other players from Afghanistan. It has been uncomfortable with the Indian presence for developmental work in Afghanistan and growing closeness between the USA and India to an extent that it was propagating an unsalable narrative that India is trying to encircle it. Pakistan's nexus with the Taliban is quite old and its assistance to it was one of the causes of the US failure in Afghanistan as it manages to play a double game with the US and Taliban. It was also an opportunity for Pakistan to send out a large number of terrorists to fight alongside the Afghan-Taliban whom it wanted to relocate to avoid FATF fallouts and preserve what it terms them as their "strategic assets" to be used elsewhere later. The opportunity is also marred with some serious concerns. Taliban in power never compromised on Durand Line and their stance in future is likely to be similar. Taliban also has many groups within including TTP which will also get stronger to strike Pakistan as the power of the Taliban grows. Innumerable refugees outflow along with some inimical terror groups is also a concern. Pakistan’s strategy of joining hands with the Taliban while dumping Ghani’s government and luring China in this strategic space has gone off well so far. It has also been successful in edging out the US and India out of Afghanistan with its terrorists incrementally damaging Indian built assets. What is going wrong with ANDSF strategy? ANDSF in numbers are two to three times more than Taliban fighters but are low in morale suffering a defensive mindset. They are not venturing out of urban areas and trying to halt the Taliban with less potent air power in comparison to Americans. Over the last 20 years, they went into a syndrome of overdependence on foreign forces and foreign aid. The Afghan government with fractured mandate and various groups eyeing to share power weakened the homogeneity as an effective establishment to govern. In military strategy, a defender can never win, but can at best delay defeat. Operationally ANDSF is making the same mistake as MNF made by trying to win by airpower and defending bases thus leaving the initiative with the Taliban. If ANDSF fights with an offensive mindset, effective use of available airpower and sound strategy, small gains can improve sagging morale which can change the tide against the Taliban. Response of other stakeholders! The US also tried the idea of outsourcing regional peace in Afghanistan to regional stakeholders. All other stakeholders are concerned with the likelihood of export of terrorism but are gravely short of options and leverages as no one is keen to put boots on the ground knowing fully well that no foreign recipe of peace in Afghanistan has worked in past nor will it work in future. Almost every neighbour (Russia, Pakistan, China, Iran, CAR and Qatar) are organising peace talks between various stakeholders, primarily to suit their own interests making no headway. China keen on connectivity and economic exploitation of Afghanistan is hesitant on becoming the third power (after USSR and USA) to suffer in the “Graveyard of Empires” hence will prefer working through Pakistan till the power structure stabilise. India has always emphasised on Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, Afghan-controlled, elected, democratic government and has invested a tremendous amount of goodwill in the people of Afghanistan and Ghani’s government through a large amount of development projects and capacity building of various institutions including ANDSF with a cumulative sunk cost of $3 billion. India suffers from a major handicap that despite being a legal neighbour of Afghanistan it doesn’t physically hold a common border, thus has no direct land route. It reduces the capability of India to directly influence outcomes in Afghanistan hence it was never taken seriously by other stakeholders even during talks. Diplomatically India has left no stone unturned to mitigate the crisis. Way ahead There is a need to boost the morale of Afghan forces with air support, military assets and maintenance of its existing damaged air assets. An offensive mindset and sound military strategy can turn the tide in ANDSF's favour. They need to focus on recapturing border crossings, utilise other supporting non-state actors in engaging the Taliban to weaken blockades with guerrilla tactics. The momentum of the Taliban can break while fighting in urban areas due to weak peoples support, lesser numbers, and no air resources. There is a need to create a viable countervailing force within Afghanistan. There is a need for the UNSC to rein/sanction Pakistan for adding strength to the Taliban by using its non-state actors against an elected government of another country for the sake of innocent people, women and children of Afghanistan. While the statements condemning violence have been issued, but there is a need for a resolution against sponsors and global condemnation of the Taliban’s effort to takeover by force. India as the president UNSC continues to highlight the issue of violence and atrocities by terrorists in Afghanistan and flags the reports of the Afghan government and UN regarding almost 10,000 Pakistani terrorists fighting alongside the Taliban against the democratically elected government. If left to Afghan people, civil war will continue and the Taliban even if in power will also face an unprecedented cycle of instability from angry population resenting Sharia law and rival groups in Afghanistan and within the Taliban. Various tribes and terror groups will ensure that no single entity or foreign player gets that strategic space exclusively. It is unlikely that China-Pakistan will find it easy to exploit the situation amid expected instability. It will certainly have a telling effect on the regional and global security situation as the Af-Pak region will become the largest breeding ground for terrorism with some of the terror groups again becoming strong enough to strike the US, EU, China, India or CAR. Afghanistan seems to be heading for a situation wherein different areas will be under influence of different entities, leaving the helpless population suffering under the hands of fundamentalists, if no mid-course correction is undertaken. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion | Why US strategy in Afghanistan failed against Taliban-Pakistan nexus?