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Smita Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 9
Days after US President Donald Trump ridiculed Indian aid to Afghanistan referring to the parliament building as a “library”, Russia today appreciated India’s humanitarian and development assistance to the war-torn country.
Visiting Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said development support is very important in conflict zones. “Wars can be won, but peace cannot without any material investment on development and education. That is the core and thus the Indian effort and efforts of other countries which provide material support to Afghanistan is an indispensable one,” said Ryabkov.
“We understand the central role of India in Afghanistan. We want and welcome India and Indian representatives in all formats, including the Moscow talks. Regional connectivity is close to Indian hearts. We wish there would be less competition in some circles,” he said, stressing the need for a dialogue with the Taliban. He said Moscow through its own dialogue process with the Taliban is trying to understand where they stand and is not playing into the hands of one or another. “The only purpose of our efforts there is to bring closer the stakeholders. The only way out is a political solution,” emphasised Ryabkov.
The Russian minister’s remarks come on a day when Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, speaking at the ‘Raisina Dialogue’ in Delhi, also accepted that engaging the Taliban is needed. “There should be talks with Taliban, but without conditions,” he said to a question. With the US troop withdrawal looking imminent, regional players are watching closely the US talks with the Taliban.
US special envoy to pay visit
Donald Trump’s special Afghan envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is travelling to India to coordinate efforts to facilitate an intra-Afghan political settlement. He will lead an inter-agency delegation to India, China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan from January 8 to 21.