Khalilzad embarks on latest swing through region

KABUL Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has embarked on a swing through the region to drum up support for peace in the war-torn country.

In Washington, the State Department said in a statement on Wednesday that the US diplomat departed on May 5 for travel to Doha, New Delhi and Islamabad.

Khalilzad would meet representatives of Taliban’s Qatar office in Doha to press for full implementation of the Feb. 29 US-Taliban peace agreement, the statement said.

He would hold discussions with Indian officials in New Delhi on the important role of India in sustainable peace in Afghanistan and the region at large.

“In Islamabad, he will meet with Pakistani officials and also discuss the Afghan peace process,” the State Department said, adding Khalilzad would urge support for an immediate reduction in violence in Afghanistan at each stop.”

He will also seek support for accelerated timeline for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations, and cooperation among all sides in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan.

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