New Delhi: The US on Tuesday made it clear that giving legitimacy to the Taliban is a distant reality. The visiting US diplomat Wendy R. Sherman disclosed the Biden Administratrion's stance in her meeting with Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla in New Delhi.
The US Deputy Secretary of State said it is not giving legitimacy to the Taliban in near future and they "must do more" to get legitimacy. Both the leaders discussed issues pertaining to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
America, meanwhile, appreciated India's role in bringing resolution 2953 to the UNSC after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, sources at the Ministry of External Affairs said. On its part, India shared its concerns and perspective with the US on Afghanistan, the movement of terror groups especially the Haqqani network, infiltration, & the role of the Pakistani spy agency ISI.
During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed that they are on the same page on what is happening in Pakistan. According to sources, China was also discussed & India shared its perspectives at the meeting.
Sherman's visit to India assumes significance as concerns are growing over potential threats from the Taliban, Pakistan and China. The top American diplomat said the US will compete with China & emphasised the level playing field. India informed the US about the status of disengagement & EAM's engagement with its Chinese counterpart.
Sherman also applauded India's decision to resume vaccine exports and said that it was a country that the world depended on. "India had come to everybody's rescue early on and hopefully, we all came to India's rescue to help them," the US Deputy Secretary said at India Ideas Summit.
On a similar note, Foreign Secretary Shringla said that the India-US relationship will only attain greater heights in years to come. "Today, we're in a strong position & poised to move forward exponentially on many of the areas that we have identified together," Shringla pointed out during his address at the India Ideas summit.
Both sides expressed a desire to work together to ensure peace, security, and stability in South Asia and beyond. India and US are scheduled to hold their first 2+2 summit under the Biden administration in November this year.
The US Deputy Secretary of State who is on a three-day visit to New Delhi will next fly to Islamabad to meet Pakistan officials there.
Also Read: Wendy Sherman holds talks with Harsh Shringla; hints at Indo-US security dialogue
