There are forces working in Afghanistan with very different agenda: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that Afghanistan’s future cannot be its past. The world is against violence and seizing power by force and will not legitimize such acts. In his address at the meeting of the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Contact Group on Afghanistan in Dushanbe,

Tajikistan, Jaishankar also stressed on the need to ensure that Kabul’s neighbors are not threatened by terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The challenge is to act on these beliefs seriously and honestly, Jaishankar said. Because there are forces working with a very different agenda. The world is against violence and seizure of power by force. It would not legitimize such actions.

He also called for an end to violence and terrorist attacks against civilians and state representatives and to settle the conflict through political dialogue and by respecting the interests of all ethnic groups.

The Foreign Minister said that the world, the region and the Afghan people all want a free, neutral, integrated, peaceful, democratic and prosperous nation.

He tweeted, Seriously, peace talks are the only answer. An acceptable agreement that reflects the Doha Process, the Moscow Draft and the Istanbul Process is required. Afghanistan’s future cannot be its past.

Jaishankar said, a whole new generation has different expectations. We should not disappoint them.

The Doha process, the Moscow format and the Istanbul process are different frameworks for negotiations to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan.

Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Tajikistan at the invitation of External Affairs Minister Siroziddin Muhriddin to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Council meeting. The meeting discussed the achievements of the organization as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of its formation this year.
It will assess the preparedness for the upcoming SCO Council of States in Dushanbe on 16-17 September 2021 and exchange views on current international and regional issues.