New Delhi: India on Thursday reiterated its stance that Afghan soil shouldn't be used for terrorism or anti-Indian activities. Addressing the weekly media briefing here on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "Our main concern is that Afghan soil shouldn’t be used for terrorism or anti-Indian activities. This is our focus. Let’s see further what our roadmap will be". Let’s treat Doha meeting for what it is. It is just a meeting. These are early days, he added.
Earlier this week, ambassador of India to Qatar Deepak Mittal met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of Taliban's political office in Doha, said the Ministry of External Affairs. It was the first formal contact between India and the Taliban after it took over Afghanistan.
The meeting was in line with the Taliban's overture to India. Recently, the senior leader of the outfit Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai has said that the Taliban wants to maintain Afghanistan's trade, economic and political relations with India while describing India as an important country in the region. The statement came at a time when US troops have left Afghanistan, ending America's longest war.
Read: No major terror attack in India since Modi became PM, says Rajnath; calls it major achievement
The meeting focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit India was also discussed. The Taliban Representative, on the other hand, assured the Ambassador that these issues would be positively addressed.
Further, when asked if India is aware of the formation of the government in the Taliban, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, in the press briefing today said, "We are not aware of any detail or nature of what kind of govt could be formed in Afghanistan. I have no update on our meeting (with Taliban)".
Responding to a query on the evacuation of stranded Indians in Afghanistan, MEA said that currently, Kabul airport is not operational. "We will resume our operation to evacuate people from Kabul as soon the airport service will resume", the spokesperson added.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that Qatar is working with the Taliban to reopen Kabul's airport as soon as possible, and urging the Islamists to allow Afghans to leave. Moreover, in response to a media query about any further meetings with Islamic militant groups, Bagchi said that he had no update on the same. "Do not want to speculate. It's not a matter of yes and no", he added.
Read: Pakistan PM takes a dig at India while condoling Geelani's death
