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India, Russia Oppose inclusion of Taliban in Afghan Govt
India and Russia are against inclusion of Taliban in a future government in Afghanistan and asked international community to play an important role in the reconstruction of the war-torn country.
Both New Delhi and Moscow agreed that there could be no place for the Taliban movement in any future government in Afghanistan, according to a press released issued by the Indian External Affairs Ministry here Friday evening after a two-day meeting of the India-Russia Joint Working Group on Afghanistan.
The group, which was led by Indian Foreign Secretary Chokila Iyer and Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Trubnikov, discussed in detail the current situation in Afghanistan, the release said.
The position held by India and Russia somewhat contradicted the views held by the United States and Pakistan, which have said that representatives from Taliban should be included in the future government in Afghanistan.
Russia and India reiterated their commitment to the independence, unity and sovereignty of Afghanistan and agreed that, for peace and stability to return to the country, it was essential to ensure the establishment of a broad-based independent government with equitable representation to all ethnic groups, which does not radiate extremism and fundamentalism.
"The obscurantist, malevolent, extremist and violent ideologies on which the Taliban movement is based, will pose a substantial danger to stability of any broad-based multi-ethnic government, in addition to providing a fillip to terrorism and narcotics- smuggling emanating from Afghanistan," said the press release.
After over two decades of civil strife in Afghanistan, the release added, the international community should play an important role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the rehabilitation of its people.
As Afghanistan's neighbors, India and Russia have vital interests in ensuring that such endeavors succeed, said the release.
The two sides agreed to work together towards effective contribution and participation in international mechanisms, including in the context of the United Nations, to promote political reconciliation and reconstruction in Afghanistan.
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