A classified report prepared by the US intelligence agencies on Afghanistan has confirmed India’s worst fears about what is to follow the withdrawal of American troops from the landlocked nation by 11 September 2021. The report has warned that “Taliban could take over Afghanistan” within two to three years if the US leaves Kabul without putting in place a proper and system of power-sharing acceptable to all warring groups there—a situation that India would not like to see at any cost.
According to sources, US agencies have, just two days ago, reminded the Biden administration of what is contained in the “assessment report” about the future of Afghanistan. This report was prepared during Trump’s time in White House last year.
This is what has been worrying India ever since Biden announced the withdrawal of all 2,500 troops by 11 September from Afghanistan. India had even tried to put up pressure on the US and Germany, through various diplomatic channels to defer the withdrawal of troops from trouble-torn Afghanistan where the situation is fluid and volatile.
Germany has the second-largest force in Afghanistan, numbering over 1,000.
Top diplomatic sources told The Sunday Guardian that Extrenal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will have Afghanistan on his agenda during the meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington. He is in the US till 28 May. Sources said that the report of the US spy agencies warning about a possible return of Taliban will be raised by Jaishankar.
Sources said that Jaishankar, who is in Washington to meet Blinken, will highlight these points in no uncertain terms. What India wants at this point of time is that even though the US is withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, the Biden administration should continue to be focused on whatever is happening in Kabul. The US should not stop short of diplomatic arm-twisting of Taliban and other similar forces which keep hatching conspiracy against India which also include Pakistan. There is no denying Pakistan and Taliban together want to keep India at bay in Afghanistan.
“With Blinken keeping his focus also on Afghanistan related issues, Jaishankar would definitely discuss with him the Afghan scenario comprehensively. US spy agencies report will also be referred to,” say top sources. Covid-related operations and Quad will also be on the agenda, sources said.Jaishankar is also expected to meet his German counterpart soon.
