The United States and India, in their 2+2 ministerial dialogue on Friday, pressed the Taliban to honor its pledge to prevent Afghanistan from serving as a launchpad for threats against other nations. The high-level meeting in New Delhi was centered on promoting security and human rights in Afghanistan.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and their Indian counterparts highlighted the Taliban’s duty under UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021), which demands that Afghanistan not be used for activities threatening other countries’ security.
In a statement, the U.S. State Department relayed, “The Ministers called on the Taliban to adhere to their commitment to prevent any group or individual from using Afghanistan’s territory to threaten the security of any country,” citing the resolution’s call for Afghanistan not to be used for terror-related activities.
The ministers also urged the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and minority groups, and to ensure freedom of travel. The statement added, “They emphasized unhindered access for humanitarian assistance and recommitted to consultations on Afghanistan to help facilitate an inclusive and peaceful future for all Afghans.”
The dialogue aimed at fostering an inclusive, peaceful future in Afghanistan, with the international community committed to supporting the country’s move toward stability and security.
The collective call to the Taliban addressed crucial issues such as security commitments, human rights protection, and the accessibility of humanitarian assistance.
