Doha: Indian envoy to Qatar met the head of Taliban’s political office in Doha, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. This is the first time India has acknowledged formal contact with the Taliban since Kabul fell to the group on August 15.
“Today, Ambassador of India to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Head of Taliban’s Political Office in Doha. The meeting took place at the Embassy of India, Doha, on the request of the Taliban side.” MEA release read.
“Discussions focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit to India also came up,” read the official press release.
During the meeting, the envoy flagged concern that Afghanistan’s soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner after US-led foreign troops have completely pulled out from the region. The External Affairs Ministry said that the Taliban Representative assured that India’s concerns would be “positively addressed.”