No talks on Indian troops in Afghanistan: US

KABUL, a veteran American diplomat says.

In an interview aired on Saturday, US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said his country wanted India to participate in the Afghan peace process.

However, no discussion on having Indian troops in Afghanistan took place, he said, explaining the focus was on India’s involvement in efforts to bring peace to the war-torn nation.

Indian involvement in Afghan peace efforts was necessary because of proximity between them, the envoy told Times Now. Warm US-India ties were cited as another reason.

Khalilzad acknowledged Pakistan to conclude the Feb 29 peace deal with the US and, reduce violence and launch intra-Afghan negotiations.

PAN Monitor/mud