Keep us out of your tiffs, Taliban tell India, Pakistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): A senior Taliban leader has urged Pakistan and India not to drag Afghanistan into their bilateral tiffs.

The movement wanted to maintain cordial relation with all nations, said Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, leader of Taliban’s political office in Doha.

In an interview with CNN-News18, he dispelled the impression that the Taliban could team up with Pakistan against India.

“There is no such statement or indication from our side. We want good relations with all our neighbouring countries,” he maintained.

Aware of the long-running political and geographical dispute between India and Pakistan, he hoped Afghanistan would not be kept out of their spats.

Stanekzai, widely tipped as Afghanistan’s next foreign minister, asked India to retain a diplomatic presence in the war-devastated country.

In response to a query, Stanikzai ruled out the involvement of the Haqqani Network in Thursday’s blasts at the Kabul airport.

“This is what the enemies of Afghan people say. It’s not true and it’s completely false. Since Daesh has taken responsibility, it is clear that Daesh has done it.”

PAN Monitor/mud