The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday (September 3) issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, demanding that he testify on September 19 about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Chairman Michael McCaul, who leads the committee, said in a letter that Blinken's refusal to attend voluntarily prompted the subpoena. It added that if he does not comply, Blinken&nbsp;could face contempt charges.

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<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:152,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1838}">Blinken wasn't available</h2>

The State Department, as per Reuters, responded to the letter and said that Blinken was unavailable on the proposed dates but had offered "reasonable alternatives" for a public hearing.&nbsp;

Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed disappointment over the subpoena, calling it "unnecessary" given Blinken's previous cooperation, which included over 14 testimonies — including four before McCaul's committee. He also said that the US Secretary of State had provided McCaul's committee with nearly 20,000 pages of department documents, multiple high-level briefings and transcribed interviews.

"It is disappointing that instead of continuing to engage with the Department in good faith, the Committee instead has issued yet another unnecessary subpoena," said Miller in a statement.

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McCaul argued that based on testimonies from current and former State Department officials, it was clear that Blinken was "the final decision maker" on the Afghanistan withdrawal. Thus, he was key to the committee's investigation. He insisted Blinken’s testimony would inform potential legislation that could&nbsp;prevent future mishandling of similar situations.

"You are therefore in a position to inform the Committee’s consideration of potential legislation aimed at helping prevent the catastrophic mistakes of the withdrawal, including potential reforms to the Department's legislative authorisation," said the letter.

The subpoena comes as the political debate surrounding the Afghanistan withdrawal intensifies amid the 2024 elections.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday (September 3) issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, demanding that he testify on September 19 about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday (September 3) issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, demanding that he testify on September 19 about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Chairman Michael McCaul, who leads the committee, said in a letter that Blinken's refusal to attend voluntarily prompted the subpoena. It added that if he does not comply, Blinken could face contempt charges. Also read | US charges top Hamas leaders for October 7 attack on Israel Blinken wasn't available The State Department, as per Reuters, responded to the letter and said that Blinken was unavailable on the proposed dates but had offered "reasonable alternatives" for a public hearing. Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed disappointment over the subpoena, calling it "unnecessary" given Blinken's previous cooperation, which included over 14 testimonies — including four before McCaul's committee. He also said that the US Secretary of State had provided McCaul's committee with nearly 20,000 pages of department documents, multiple high-level briefings and transcribed interviews. "It is disappointing that instead of continuing to engage with the Department in good faith, the Committee instead has issued yet another unnecessary subpoena," said Miller in a statement. Also read | New York Governor Hochul’s ex-aide indicted for being Chinese agent McCaul argued that based on testimonies from current and former State Department officials, it was clear that Blinken was "the final decision maker" on the Afghanistan withdrawal. Thus, he was key to the committee's investigation. He insisted Blinken’s testimony would inform potential legislation that could prevent future mishandling of similar situations. "You are therefore in a position to inform the Committee’s consideration of potential legislation aimed at helping prevent the catastrophic mistakes of the withdrawal, including potential reforms to the Department's legislative authorisation," said the letter. The subpoena comes as the political debate surrounding the Afghanistan withdrawal intensifies amid the 2024 elections. (With inputs from agencies)

US House subpoenas Blinken to testify on America's exit from Afghanistan

China has decided to skip India's 'Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan', a meeting of national security advisers from the region.

The Chinese government said it would not be able to attend the conclave because of scheduling issues. However, the country has conveyed its readiness to maintain contacts with India on Afghanistan through bilateral and multilateral channels.

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Pakistan had also declined to attend the National Security Advisors meeting being hosted by India, and the country's NSA Moeed Yusuf was publicly quoted as describing India as a spoiler.

On Wednesday, 10th November,&nbsp;India will be hosting, security czars of Russia, Iran and five central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, for security dialogue on Afghanistan.

Conclave participants will work to develop a common approach to practical cooperation in the face of growing threats from terrorism, radicalization, and drug trafficking following the Taliban takeover of Kabul.

The dialogue will be chaired by India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.&nbsp;

Additionally, Doval will also hold bilateral talks with his counterparts, including those from Russia and Iran.

The participating countries, according to sources, are in very high agreement regarding the security implications of the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, and the focus of the dialogue will be on how to work together on practical matters.

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The challenges posed by terrorism, radicalisation, drug trafficking, cross-border migration of people, and the threat posed by military weapons left behind by US forces will be discussed at length at the dialogue.

The security officials are also expected to discuss the cross-border movement of Afghans.

According to the MEA, India has enjoyed close and friendly relations with the people of Afghanistan and has called for a unified international response to tackle the security and humanitarian challenges Afghanistan faces.

"The forthcoming meeting is a step in that direction," it said.

Participants in the conference have not recognized the Taliban, and they all share similar concerns and worries about the situation in Afghanistan.

Watch |&nbsp;Iran, Russia confirm presence at Delhi NSA meet on Afghanistan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-russia-confirm-presence-at-delhi-nsa-meet-on-afghanistan-427030/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

While the meeting is unlikely to result in a formal security architecture, it may lead to a gradual evolution of increased security cooperation.

According to sources, Pakistan had also refused to attend previous dialogues of the NSAs in Iran in 2018 and 2019 citing India's participation.

China has decided to skip India's 'Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan', a meeting of national security advisers from the region. The Chinese government said it would not be able to attend the conclave because of scheduling issues.

China has decided to skip India's 'Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan', a meeting of national security advisers from the region. The Chinese government said it would not be able to attend the conclave because of scheduling issues. However, the country has conveyed its readiness to maintain contacts with India on Afghanistan through bilateral and multilateral channels. Also read | India looks for practical outcomes at 'security czars' meet on Afghanistan Pakistan had also declined to attend the National Security Advisors meeting being hosted by India, and the country's NSA Moeed Yusuf was publicly quoted as describing India as a spoiler. On Wednesday, 10th November, India will be hosting, security czars of Russia, Iran and five central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, for security dialogue on Afghanistan. Conclave participants will work to develop a common approach to practical cooperation in the face of growing threats from terrorism, radicalization, and drug trafficking following the Taliban takeover of Kabul. The dialogue will be chaired by India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. Additionally, Doval will also hold bilateral talks with his counterparts, including those from Russia and Iran. The participating countries, according to sources, are in very high agreement regarding the security implications of the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, and the focus of the dialogue will be on how to work together on practical matters. Also read | Iran, Russia, Central Asia confirm presence at Delhi NSA meet on Afghanistan The challenges posed by terrorism, radicalisation, drug trafficking, cross-border migration of people, and the threat posed by military weapons left behind by US forces will be discussed at length at the dialogue. The security officials are also expected to discuss the cross-border movement of Afghans. According to the MEA, India has enjoyed close and friendly relations with the people of Afghanistan and has called for a unified international response to tackle the security and humanitarian challenges Afghanistan faces. "The forthcoming meeting is a step in that direction," it said. Participants in the conference have not recognized the Taliban, and they all share similar concerns and worries about the situation in Afghanistan. Watch | Iran, Russia confirm presence at Delhi NSA meet on Afghanistan While the meeting is unlikely to result in a formal security architecture, it may lead to a gradual evolution of increased security cooperation. According to sources, Pakistan had also refused to attend previous dialogues of the NSAs in Iran in 2018 and 2019 citing India's participation.

After Pak, China NSA to also skip Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan hosted by India

The US troops left Afghanistan in a C-17 cargo plane with just a few passengers on board including US diplomat&nbsp;in Afghanistan Ross Wilson.

Meanwhile, President Biden urged the Taliban to honour commitment to allow Afghans to freely leave the country with just under 200 Americans still left in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, celebratory gunfire rang out as the Taliban celebrated as US troops withdrew from the country. Reports claimed at least two fighters were killed due to gunshot wounds amid the celebrations.

Click on the headline to know more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-completes-military-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-409541">US completes military withdrawal from Afghanistan</a>

<img alt="Kabul" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3e7fecae-4814-4083-a26c-6bcfe0cdb653" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/KabulA1_1.JPG" />

President Biden had set August 31 as the final date for US personnel to leave Afghanistan

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/biden-urges-taliban-to-honour-commitments-as-under-200-americans-still-left-in-afghanistan-409553">Biden urges Taliban to honour commitments as under 200 Americans still left in Afghanistan</a>

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="93122a9b-f48c-41e5-b840-3ac607227526" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/B11_0.jpg" />

As the 20-year military presence of the US in Afghanistan ends, President Joe Biden said Taliban must honour commitments on safe passage

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-engages-in-celebratory-gunfire-as-us-troops-leave-2-fighters-die-due-to-gunshot-wound-409556">Watch: Taliban engages in celebratory gunfire as US troops leave; 2 fighters die due to gunshot wound</a>

<img alt="Taliban celebrates" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bf545387-3200-404a-b461-951fdcbce76f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Taliban1.JPG" />

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/major-general-chris-donahue-last-us-soldier-to-leave-afghanistan-409547">Major General Chris Donahue: Last US soldier to leave Afghanistan</a>

<img alt="US solider" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a19e9b9-994a-4859-8d2e-da91452863cb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Last%20Pic1.JPG" />

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US diplomat&nbsp;in Afghanistan Ross Wilson was on the US C-17 cargo flight as it headed back to America

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-thanks-to-america-taliban-now-has-an-air-force-409533">Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas - Thanks to America, Taliban now has an Air Force</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-thanks-to-america-taliban-now-has-an-air-force-409533/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The US troops left Afghanistan in a C-17 cargo plane with just a few passengers on board including US diplomat in Afghanistan Ross Wilson. Meanwhile, President Biden urged the Taliban to honour commitment to allow Afghans to freely leave the country with just under 200 Americans still left in Afghanistan.

The US troops left Afghanistan in a C-17 cargo plane with just a few passengers on board including US diplomat in Afghanistan Ross Wilson. Meanwhile, President Biden urged the Taliban to honour commitment to allow Afghans to freely leave the country with just under 200 Americans still left in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, celebratory gunfire rang out as the Taliban celebrated as US troops withdrew from the country. Reports claimed at least two fighters were killed due to gunshot wounds amid the celebrations. Click on the headline to know more US completes military withdrawal from Afghanistan President Biden had set August 31 as the final date for US personnel to leave Afghanistan Biden urges Taliban to honour commitments as under 200 Americans still left in Afghanistan As the 20-year military presence of the US in Afghanistan ends, President Joe Biden said Taliban must honour commitments on safe passage Watch: Taliban engages in celebratory gunfire as US troops leave; 2 fighters die due to gunshot wound Major General Chris Donahue: Last US soldier to leave Afghanistan US diplomat in Afghanistan Ross Wilson was on the US C-17 cargo flight as it headed back to America Watch: Gravitas - Thanks to America, Taliban now has an Air Force

Morning news brief: Taliban engages in celebratory gunfire as US troops leave & more