‘No question of Taliban fighters turning toward India’: Suhail Shaheen

[Haris Ali2140]

Nice try.
We can see your Photoshop in a corner.

On topic: Taliban is desperately seeking Indian govt approval

Why do they need Indian Govt. approval and for what???

 

[Mighty Lion]

Why do they need Indian Govt. approval and for what???

For good ties with most important regional power

 

[Haris Ali2140]

Ok

 

[PAKISTANFOREVER]

Nice try.
We can see your Photoshop in a corner.

On topic: Taliban is desperately seeking Indian govt approval

Sure they are. After giving the american superpower a hiding for 18 years they really give a damn about the world's biggest open sewer that is india.........

Suhail Shaheen, a key member of the negotiation team of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan or as the political wing of Taliban calls itself, spoke exclusively to The Sunday Guardian on the failed US-Taliban peace talks, the role of India in Afghanistan and why India as a regional power should revisit its stand vis-a-vis Taliban and Kabul.

He sought to allay the concerns of the Indian security apparatus and stated that no Taliban fighter would try to enter Kashmir once US troops left Afghanistan as was being discussed by people in India.

Shaheen, who has been a journalist and editor of a Kabul-based English newspaper, is expected to play a crucial role in the future administrative set-up that is likely to come up in Afghanistan. Excerpts:


Q: The Taliban has blamed US President Donald Trump for the collapse of the peace talks, but questions are being asked why Taliban executed the 5 September Kabul bombing despite knowing that any such attack would jeopardise the talks?

A: There was no ceasefire between us as such (at that time). The occupying forces and their domestic supporters started launching night raids and offensives against our forces in many provinces, killing our men and civilians; we just retaliated. I think those who started (the violence) first, should be blamed.

Q: Are there factions within the Taliban who do not want/had not wanted the talks to succeed?

A: All our ranks and files obey order of the leadership. There is no such factionalism. If we sign the agreement and agree on ceasefire, there will be no violation. However, before that, we have no obligation to observe ceasefire as we have not agreed to anything. Similarly, the other side is also not committed to ceasefire before the signing of the agreement.

Q: How does Taliban see the role of Pakistan when it comes to Afghanistan? The political leadership of Afghanistan has repeatedly claimed that Pakistan will never allow peace in the country. How important a role does Pakistan play in the future of Afghanistan?

A: These are empty claims of the Kabul administration officials. We follow our policy based on our national and Islamic interests. The peace agreement is finalised along with its annexes. We stand on what we have agreed, but it is the US which retracted and opted for war. The choice is theirs. Whether they want to resolve the issue peacefully or through military ways, we are there and we will defend our country and our values. But we prefer a peaceful solution.

Q: Post the collapse of the US peace talks, your delegation has spoken to and met Russian and Chinese officials. Why is China being involved in the issue?

A: China is an important neighbouring country and a member of the UN Security Council. We know they want a peaceful solution of the Afghan issue and want withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.

In the past, they have played their part in the peace process. After the abrupt tweets by President Trump, they wanted to know why all these suddenly happened after everything was concluded and the agreement was to be signed in a ceremony participated by international witnesses and media. So our delegation led by Mullah Bradar visited Beijing to brief them on the recent developments in the process and exchange views with them about the peace process.

Q: How do you see the role of India in this whole situation? Will the Taliban delegation approach the Indian government as it has approached the Russian and the Chinese?

A: India supports the Kabul administration and opposes the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban). It is more appropriate for India, as a regional power, to maintain its neutrality in the Afghan issue. India should stand with the people of Afghanistan at least on moral grounds in their struggle for liberation as Afghan people did stand with Indian people in their struggle of liberation from the colonial claw of Britain in the mid-20th century. Rulers go but people remain. We are the people.

Q: The Taliban of the 1990s and early 2000s destroyed statues, enforced laws against women and the minorities. Has the Taliban of 2019 changed?

A: In the 1990s, anarchy was prevalent all over Afghanistan because of factional fighting among warlords and former Mujahideens. We had to restore normalcy and put an end to the then chaotic situation.

Some strict steps may have been taken then, but now it is the story of the past. We are committed to all basic rights of the Afghans, including women and minorities—whether it is their right to education, work, religious practice etc. Similarly, we want good relations with neighbouring and regional countries.

Q: There are concerns among Indian policymakers that once the US troops leave Afghanistan, its fighters will turn towards India in general and Kashmir in particular? How would you like to respond to this?

A: Our country and people have been passing through war and sufferings for the past four decades. After the end of occupation and formation of an all Afghan-inclusive Islamic government in the country, we will solely focus on reconstruction and development of our ruined country. For that, we want to have good relations with all countries of the world, including the regional countries and seek their assistance for a new Afghanistan. Of course, we will play our own role to contribute to peace and stability of the region. So, there is no question of our fighters turning toward India. It is an unfounded fear. As for the Kashmir issue, we want its peaceful solution.

https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/world/no-question-taliban-fighters-targeting-india

The Taliban are not needed to take care of india...................what is coming to iOK in the next 5-10 years will make the Taliban and isis look like choir boys.........

For good ties with most important regional power

india is not in the same region as Afghanistan. It doesn't even share a border with afghanistan. india isn't even a small power. It is the world's biggest open sewer. Nothing else.

 

[Flash_Ninja]

Pakistan and the Taliban have said this over and over again, the Taliban is an Afghan entity not an international one

What certain Taliban fighters may do in the future though is a whole other story

 

[New World]

View attachment 582639

when you can allow foreign forces to go bomb your neighboring brother. how can you expect them to support you when you have killed their thousands of people by supporting foreign forces..

 

[Ra's al Ghul]

indian govt should asked them to write it down, in case afghan taliban will change there mind.

 

[xyxmt]

Nice try.
We can see your Photoshop in a corner.

On topic: Taliban is desperately seeking Indian govt approval

no worries man, please just give them approval
India being bigger stronger wealthier than US, their approval is much desired.
and trust you me Taliban wont go against India...never, ever ever
so just relax and give approval since that is the one thing left so this peace deal is finalized, please do the rush delivery of approval letter by DHL.

 

[H. Dawary]

Don't worry Pakistan, in truth we are with you. Should you make the first move, we will support you from behind as much as we can, you are our brothers in faith, although peace would be better for us all and InshAllah everything will be resolved peacefully and our region becomes peaceful, I am tired of this hate.

 

[Rusty]

I am tired of this hate.

Me too Bro.

India is a far larger threat to Muslims as they have recently shown.

Time for us to become brotherly countries and focus on the real enemy.

 

[khansaheeb]

Nice try.
We can see your Photoshop in a corner.

On topic: Taliban is desperately seeking Indian govt approval

You are welcome to send Indian troops to help the Taliban maintain control of Talib land.

 

[Hamza913]

Nice try.
We can see your Photoshop in a corner.

The image is from PEMRI, I just added the red text.

when you can allow foreign forces to go bomb your neighboring brother. how can you expect them to support you when you have killed their thousands of people by supporting foreign forces..

The suffering Kashmiri people have nothing to do with that.

 

[fitpOsitive]

Suhail Shaheen, a key member of the negotiation team of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan or as the political wing of Taliban calls itself, spoke exclusively to The Sunday Guardian on the failed US-Taliban peace talks, the role of India in Afghanistan and why India as a regional power should revisit its stand vis-a-vis Taliban and Kabul.

He sought to allay the concerns of the Indian security apparatus and stated that no Taliban fighter would try to enter Kashmir once US troops left Afghanistan as was being discussed by people in India.

Shaheen, who has been a journalist and editor of a Kabul-based English newspaper, is expected to play a crucial role in the future administrative set-up that is likely to come up in Afghanistan. Excerpts:


Q: The Taliban has blamed US President Donald Trump for the collapse of the peace talks, but questions are being asked why Taliban executed the 5 September Kabul bombing despite knowing that any such attack would jeopardise the talks?

A: There was no ceasefire between us as such (at that time). The occupying forces and their domestic supporters started launching night raids and offensives against our forces in many provinces, killing our men and civilians; we just retaliated. I think those who started (the violence) first, should be blamed.

Q: Are there factions within the Taliban who do not want/had not wanted the talks to succeed?

A: All our ranks and files obey order of the leadership. There is no such factionalism. If we sign the agreement and agree on ceasefire, there will be no violation. However, before that, we have no obligation to observe ceasefire as we have not agreed to anything. Similarly, the other side is also not committed to ceasefire before the signing of the agreement.

Q: How does Taliban see the role of Pakistan when it comes to Afghanistan? The political leadership of Afghanistan has repeatedly claimed that Pakistan will never allow peace in the country. How important a role does Pakistan play in the future of Afghanistan?

A: These are empty claims of the Kabul administration officials. We follow our policy based on our national and Islamic interests. The peace agreement is finalised along with its annexes. We stand on what we have agreed, but it is the US which retracted and opted for war. The choice is theirs. Whether they want to resolve the issue peacefully or through military ways, we are there and we will defend our country and our values. But we prefer a peaceful solution.

Q: Post the collapse of the US peace talks, your delegation has spoken to and met Russian and Chinese officials. Why is China being involved in the issue?

A: China is an important neighbouring country and a member of the UN Security Council. We know they want a peaceful solution of the Afghan issue and want withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.

In the past, they have played their part in the peace process. After the abrupt tweets by President Trump, they wanted to know why all these suddenly happened after everything was concluded and the agreement was to be signed in a ceremony participated by international witnesses and media. So our delegation led by Mullah Bradar visited Beijing to brief them on the recent developments in the process and exchange views with them about the peace process.

Q: How do you see the role of India in this whole situation? Will the Taliban delegation approach the Indian government as it has approached the Russian and the Chinese?

A: India supports the Kabul administration and opposes the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban). It is more appropriate for India, as a regional power, to maintain its neutrality in the Afghan issue. India should stand with the people of Afghanistan at least on moral grounds in their struggle for liberation as Afghan people did stand with Indian people in their struggle of liberation from the colonial claw of Britain in the mid-20th century. Rulers go but people remain. We are the people.

Q: The Taliban of the 1990s and early 2000s destroyed statues, enforced laws against women and the minorities. Has the Taliban of 2019 changed?

A: In the 1990s, anarchy was prevalent all over Afghanistan because of factional fighting among warlords and former Mujahideens. We had to restore normalcy and put an end to the then chaotic situation.

Some strict steps may have been taken then, but now it is the story of the past. We are committed to all basic rights of the Afghans, including women and minorities—whether it is their right to education, work, religious practice etc. Similarly, we want good relations with neighbouring and regional countries.

Q: There are concerns among Indian policymakers that once the US troops leave Afghanistan, its fighters will turn towards India in general and Kashmir in particular? How would you like to respond to this?

A: Our country and people have been passing through war and sufferings for the past four decades. After the end of occupation and formation of an all Afghan-inclusive Islamic government in the country, we will solely focus on reconstruction and development of our ruined country. For that, we want to have good relations with all countries of the world, including the regional countries and seek their assistance for a new Afghanistan. Of course, we will play our own role to contribute to peace and stability of the region. So, there is no question of our fighters turning toward India. It is an unfounded fear. As for the Kashmir issue, we want its peaceful solution.

https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/world/no-question-taliban-fighters-targeting-india

I personally also think that Talibs don't have any intention towards India. It is some elements within Pakistani media who are trying their level best to portray Talibs as a threat to India. In past, Talibs never passed any such remarks or showed any such intentions.

 

[Taimoor Khan]

What is the supreme interest of Talibans/Afghans and ofcourse Pakistan as well , that Afghan soil is not used against Pakistan like it has been since 9/11 by the likes of Indian RAW. Once Pakistan's western flanks are secure, Pakistan do not need any support from Talibans in its dealing with India on Kashmir or any other matter.

However in future, if in their individual capacity, some of them wants to join the noble cause of the freedom for Kashmir from Indian clutches, then its a another matter.

 

[khanmubashir]

Nice try.
We can see your Photoshop in a corner.

On topic: Taliban is desperately seeking Indian govt approval[/QUOTE