NEW DELHI - Khalilzad met Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and India’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar.
Before travelling to New Delhi for consultations with Indian government officials and other stakeholders on the Afghan peace process, Khalilzad held talks with the Taliban at Doha.
A statement from the US embassy in Delhi said on Tuesday Khalilzad and his Indian interlocutors discussed measures to prevent the use of Afghanistan by terror groups as a “platform for attacks.
The two sides agreed the achievements Afghanistan had made over the last 18 years must be preserved and built upon, the US embassy said.
“Afghanistan’s political future is for Afghans to decide through an inclusive and legitimate process,” stressed the two sides.
They conferred on the “many important benefits that peace would bring, including: preventing international terrorist use of Afghanistan as a platform for attacks; improved prospects for regional peace and security; and increased regional connectivity and trade”.
Khalilzad, who will continue to consult with Indian counterparts as the peace process moves forward, welcomed support for the peace process that “strengthens an emerging international consensus for peace efforts”.
The US diplomat recognised the “many important contributions India has made to Afghanistan’s development.” India has given $3 billion in assistance to Afghanistan. (Pajhwok)