High-Level Meet at PM's Residence; Afghanistan Discussed: Sources
After the Taliban claimed control of Panjsheer region on Monday, a meeting was held. India is in wait and watch mode.
The prime minister's residence hosted a high-level meeting on Monday. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, CDS Bipin Rawat, and NSA Ajit Doval, among other senior officials, were present at the meet.
However, there was no official word on the meeting. The ongoing crisis in Afghanistan was discussed, according to sources related to the meeting. India is wary of Pakistan and China's role in Afghanistan.
Assistance from Pakistan
On Monday, the Taliban, during Lt Gen Faiz Hameed's visit to Kabul, declared control over the Panjshir valley, the last outpost of the militant group.
The National Resistance Front's (NRF's) leader, Ahmad Massoud, has claimed in an audio message that it was Pakistan's spy agency ISI that helped and egged on the Taliban against the Panjshiris.
According to media reports, the Pakistani Air Force bombed NRF posts in order to help the Taliban take control of the region. Although the NRF leader's location is unknown, he has rubbished the Taliban's claim on Twitter.
India's Efforts
While India is currently in a 'wait and watch' mode over the whole issue, it has taken steps to ensure that Afghan land is not used to spread terrorism.
Last month, the UN Security Council, under India’s presidency, passed Resolution 2593. The resolution demanded that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack other countries, to shelter or train terrorists, or to finance terrorism. It specifically mentioned Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and other entities designated pursuant to UNSC Resolution 1267.
Currently, India's priority is ensuring the safe return of stranded Indians and religious minorities. A meeting at the PM's residence also discussed the measures to be taken to ensure a safe and orderly evacuation of people from Afghanistan who may wish to come. Evacuations from Afghanistan were suspended on August 31 as the US forces left the country after 20 years.
