KABUL - Acting Foreign Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar discussed the start of peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban during a telephonic contact.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said the two counterparts discussed strengthening of emerging regional consensus on a peaceful end to the conflict in Afghanistan.
They hoped the Taliban would reduce violence and adhere to humanitarian ceasefire and that the release of prisoners was completed.
The statement said Atmar expressed his appreciation for continued support of the government and people of India to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan position as the peace process and negotiations with the Taliban progressed. He praised India’s support for the outcome of the Consultative Loya Jirga.
Recalling the historic and strong friendship between Afghanistan and India, Jaishankar reaffirmed his country’s support for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's position in the negotiations and the peace process while preserving the Islamic Republic and the achievements of the past 19 years.
India not only supports the peace process in Afghanistan, but it is also willing to garner regional and international support for the peace process in Afghanistan, he said. Referring to the historical and traditional position of the Loya Jirga in Afghanistan, the Indian Foreign Minister said that its decisions were useful and effective for realization of lasting peace in the country.
The two foreign ministers stressed the importance of preserving and strengthening relations between the two countries and launch of flights between Kabul and Delhi in near future besides taking into account the Corona Virus health regime and norms of the International Aviation Organization (ICAO). (Pajhwok)