KABUL - A senior official of the US Defense Department has said that signs of improvement have been seen in talks with the Taliban as he addressed a debate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Randall Schriver, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, said at the debate that Taliban can be part of a stable political future.
He said one of the main points of the talks between the US and India defense secretaries would be ways to find a solution for the Afghanistan crisis.
“We are seeing some signs that a political process is moving. President (Ashraf) Ghani is pursuing another ceasefire and we will see if the Taliban are going to step up to that,” he said.
The Pentagon official said Washington is assessing its pressure on Pakistan. 
“There is no question we need Pakistan’s help in encouraging, persuading and pressurizing the Taliban to come to the negotiating table, deal with the national unity government under President Ghani and talk about a future where they are included but not through force, through a political process,” he said.
“Secretary Pompeo looks forward to travel to New Delhi with Secretary Mattis for the inaugural India 2+2 ministerial dialogue which takes place starting on September 6th. Their Indian counterparts, external affairs minister (Sushma) Swaraj and Defense Minister (Nirmala) Sitharaman, will discuss enhancing our engagement with India on critical diplomatic and security priorities. The dialogue is an indication of the deepening strategic partnership between our two countries,” said Heather Nauert, a spokesperson for US Defense Department. (Tolo news)