No change in India's position on Afghanistan, it supports 'inclusive' peace process: MEA

A day after Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat stated India cannot be left out of the "bandwagon" when a number of countries are reaching out to the Taliban, the External Affairs Ministry Friday said there is no change in the position on Afghanistan and New Delhi supports the process which is "inclusive" towards achieving peace.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also said that India has made it "very clear" to the US that the peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan should be Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled.

He said this was conveyed during the meetings US President Donald Trump's special Afghan envoy Zalmay Khalilzad had with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.

Responding to a volley of questions on Afghanistan ranging from Khalilzad's visit to the Army chief's comments, Kumar said: "Essentially, both sides, we share perspectives on peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Mr Khalilzad briefed EAM and FS on their aspect as to how the US is trying to achieve peace and reconciliation in the country."
His remarks come just a day after Army chief Gen Rawat, during his annual press conference, said: "A number of countries are talking to the Taliban. The issue we should address is -- do we have an interest in Afghanistan. If the answer is yes, then you cannot be out of the bandwagon."