India to join non-official level talks with Taleban

new delhi — India on Thursday confirmed that it will attend, albeit at a non-official level, a multilateral meeting in Moscow on Afghanistan on Friday where the Afghan Taleban will also be present.

“We are aware that the Russian Federation is hosting a meeting in Moscow on November 9 on Afghanistan,” said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.

“India supports all efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan that will preserve unity and plurality, and bring security, stability and prosperity to the country,” Kumar said.

“India’s consistent policy has been that such efforts should be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled and with participation of the government of Afghanistan.

“Our participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level.” —