Ensure Afghan territory is not used to attack any nation: India, US urge Taliban

The development comes against the backdrop of reports of fighters of Islamic State, al Qaeda, and several Pakistan-based terror groups regrouping on Afghan soil after the takeover of the country by the Taliban on August 15.

Against the backdrop of a spike in activities of terror groups in Afghanistan, India and the US have jointly called on the Taliban to ensure that Afghan soil is never used again to threaten or attack any country, shelter terrorists, or plan terror attacks.

India and the US referred in their joint statement to the UN Security Council resolution 2593 while urging the Taliban to ensure there was no terrorism from Afghan soil. (AFP/File)

A joint statement issued after a meeting of the US-India counterterrorism joint working group and the bilateral designations dialogue said both countries are committed to close consultations on developments in Afghanistan and potential terror threats from Afghan territory.

The development comes against the backdrop of reports of fighters of Islamic State, al Qaeda, and several Pakistan-based terror groups regrouping on Afghan soil after the takeover of the country by the Taliban on August 15.

India and the US referred in their joint statement to the UN Security Council resolution 2593, adopted while India held the rotating presidency of the body in August, while urging the Taliban to ensure there was no terrorism from Afghan soil.

“In line with UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021), both sides called on the Taliban to ensure Afghan territory is never again used to threaten or attack any country, shelter or train terrorists, or plan or finance terrorist attacks,” the joint statement said.