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BIG STORY AUGUST 27, 2021 | The Indian Eye 5

Taliban’s hostile takeover of of governance that Washington
Afghanistan had elevated one stands for is much higher and
of the most violent and radical wider than suppressive and ex-
branches of Islamic terrorism, ploitive policies Beijing is known
the Haqqani network, The Wall for, reported EFSAS.
Street Journal reported. The Meanwhile, India is closely
network is closely linked to al monitoring the situation in Af-
Qaeda and is involved in the ghanistan and is in touch with
hostage-taking of Westerners, other countries as well, the Min-
and currently holds at least one istry of External Affairs spokes-
American citizen captive, ac- person said on Friday as over
cording to US officials. “I do not 100 people were killed in Kabul
believe that anyone in the West blasts on Thursday.
fully understands the reach of “We are monitoring the situ-
the Haqqani network,” said re- ation in Afghanistan and are in
tired Lt. Gen. Michael K. Naga- touch with other countries espe-
ta, a former director of strategy cially the US as they are operat-
for the National Counterterror- Union Minister for External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar ing the Kabul airport,” Ministry
ism Center. interacts with the media after briefing the Floor Leaders of political parties of External Affairs spokesper-
“It is the single most impres- in Parliament on Present Situation in Afghanistan, at Parliament House, in son Arindam Bagchi said during
sive nonstate terrorist group I New Delhi on Thursday. (AN) a weekly briefing on Friday. He
have ever seen, with the excep- added, “We have been seeking a
tion of ISIS in the first two years peaceful, prosperous and demo-
of the caliphate,” he added. cratic Afghanistan. We are cur-
A few days after the Taliban’s rently monitoring it closely. The
victory, Khalil Haqqani, broth- current focus is on the security
er of the group’s founder, Jala- situation of Afghanistan evacua-
luddin, addressed the faithful in tions and seeing how it unfolds.
public in Kabul’s Pol-e Khishti Other countries are in the frame
Mosque last week--despite a of wait and watch.”
USD 5 million US bounty on his He also said the Kabul at-
head, The Wall Street Journal tacks are a matter of concern
reported. and expressed condolences over
Khalil, along with his close the casualties.
aid, Anas Haqqani also met sev- Over the recognition of the
eral former Afghan senior offi- Taliban as government, Bagc-
cials for talks about a more inclu- hi said, “The situation on the
sive government that could gain ground is uncertain (in Afghan-
international recognition. The US Secretary Antony Blinken addresses the media regarding the istan). The primary concern is
network’s de facto leader, Sir- Afghanistan situation, in Washington on Thursday. (ANI) the security and safety of peo-
ajuddin Haqqani, son of Jalalud- ple. Currently, there is no clarity
din, has also worked closely with tance and access to criminal net- started maintaining -- is now about any entity forming a gov-
bin Laden’s top lieutenant and al works in Kabul, The Wall Street questioning the reliability of the ernment in Kabul. I think we are
Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan, Journal said. US as a partner and protector of jumping the gun regarding rec-
according to files recovered in bin Meanwhile, Beijing has been the ally especially those in South ognition.”
Laden’s compound in Pakistan. making efforts to claim moral Asia over Afghanistan with- Asked about the evacuations
“The Haqqanis expose the lie ground by projecting the US as drawal. from Afghanistan, Bagchi said
that there is a line between Tali- an unreliable and unethical part- The allegations of Beijing are so far India has evacuated over
ban and other jihadist groups, ner. There’s no doubt that the more problematic as its track re- 550 people in six separate flights,
especially al Qaeda,” said H.R. US pumped immense money cord has been of the gross sup- either from Kabul or Tajikistan’s
McMaster, a national-security and conducted serious efforts in pressor, exploiter of its citizens capital Dushanbe, of these, over
adviser in the Trump adminis- Afghanistan to establish democ- and of those countries that are 260 were Indians. New Delhi
tration and former deputy com- racy and maintain peace but it trapped in its debt. also facilitated the evacuation of
mander for U.S.-led coalition was the corrupt regime of the Beijing has been attempting Indian nationals through other
forces in Afghanistan. Asian nation that didn’t uplift to propagate the US withdrawal agencies and are in touch with
For the past number of the country’s status and result- from Afghanistan as an indica- various countries, like US, Tajik-
years, Afghan officials have also ed in the collapse of the govern- tion that Washington would not istan, Iran and others.
accused the terrorists of the ment, European Foundation for stand by its partners especially While India waits and watch-
Haqqani network of facilitating South Asian Studies (EFSAS) in South Asia. Beijing this nar- es, Pakistan, nominally a US
deadly attacks on civilians by said. China -- which was benefit- rative has merely a few takers partner in the war against terror-
providing the Islamic State’s lo- ed from the peace and stability as global acceptance of rules of ism, is seeing the Taliban’s victo-
cal affiliate with technical assis- in Afghanistan that Washington order and the inclusive system Continued on next page... >>

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