‘Too early’: Russian envoy to India on recognising Taliban as Afghanistan govt
Nikolay Kudashev said that when it comes to the motives regarding Afghanistan, Russia’s stand is “very close” to that of India and that both countries want “Afghan-owned and built government.”
Russian envoy to India, Nikolay Kudashev on Monday said that recognition of Islamist insurgents Taliban as the new government of Afghanistan is “too early to say” and that the situation is the war-torn country hasn’t “come as a surprise” to Russia.
“Recognition (of government in Afghanistan) is too early to say. Is any government or any governing structure officially available in Kabul now? Not yet. It is admitted by Afghans themselves. After decades of war, it hasn't come as a surprise to us,” Kudashev told news agency ANI.
He said that when it comes to the motives related to Afghanistan, Moscow’s position is “very close” to that of New Delhi with both Russia and India wanting an Afghan-owned government.
“What the two of us need in Afghanistan is security, predictability, inclusive government, which will satisfy the needs of the Afghan people. Afghan-owned and Afghan built government. That’s the basics of the Indian position (which is) very close to us,” Kudashev noted.
Addressing the growing worry that Afghanistan will once again become a safe haven for global terrorism, the Russian envoy expressed his concerns. “Whether we are concerned with the promise of the resurrection of terrorism? Yes, we are, same as you do,” he said, adding that the countries can give their best to “prevent the situation in and around Afghanistan.”
Speaking about Pakistan-backed terrorism in Afghanistan, Kudashev said, “Let’s offer solutions better, more promising and more attractive than terrorists do.”
However, Kudashev pointed out that he is “optimistic” about the situation in the country improving in the days ahead. “Given them (Afghans) some time and a ray of hope. It’s early to say if there is complete understanding. Let us bring them on board and talk to them and bring our ideas closer to them,” the Russian envoy told ANI.
Russia’s reluctance to immediately recognise the Taliban as the new government of Afghanistan comes after the US on Friday echoed similar views. “I want to be really clear: there’s no rush to recognition of any sort by the United States or any international partners we have talked to,” White House spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters, according to AFP.
As per recent reports, Taliban have said that they can announce the new government soon. This comes even as battle continues in Afghanistan’s Panjshir valley between Taliban fighters and the Northern Alliance force. In recent development, the National Resistance Front (NRF) spokesperson Ali Nazary said Ahmad Massoud is safe and that the valley is yet to fall – dismissing Taliban’s claim earlier on Monday that they have captured the region.
