KABUL – The United States and India, speaking in unison, have called upon the Taliban to honor the fundamental human rights of all Afghans, particularly emphasizing the rights of minorities and women within Afghanistan.

During an impactful joint gathering in New Delhi, the Foreign and Defense ministers of the United States, Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin, engaged in negotiations with their Indian counterparts, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh. This dialogue, held under the framework of the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on Friday, resulted in a resounding call for the Taliban to honor their commitments.

In a statement published by the US State Department after the meeting, the ministers emphasized, “The call is for the Taliban to uphold their commitment to prevent any individual or group from exploiting Afghanistan’s territory to jeopardize the security of any nation.” Their statement reiterated the significance of UN Security Council Resolution 2593, which underscores that Afghanistan’s soil must not be used as a refuge for terrorists or as a base to threaten other nations.

Despite the Taliban’s assertions of maintaining peace and security since assuming control in 2021, reports from both international and regional organizations persistently indicate the presence of terrorist activities within the nation.

Emphasizing their dedication to fostering a tranquil Afghanistan, the foreign and defense ministers from the United States and India have vowed to sustain consultations aimed at facilitating peace within the region.

Culled from Afghanistan Times