Official recognition eludes Taliban in Moscow | Economic Times

The Moscow Format meet on Afghanistan held on Wednesday in the Russian capital that included India did not agree to Taliban's request for official recognition of the interim government in Kabul and asked it to form a "truly inclusive government" and respect rights of women and various ethnic groups besides preventing Afghan territory from being used against neighbours. Abdul Salam Hanafi, deputy prime minister of Afghanistan’s interim government led by Taliban, at the Moscow Format meet urged the international community to recognise the regime in Kabul. However, the joint statement issued after the meet called for maintaining contacts with the regime while making it clear that recognition is not in the offing. Russia, convenor of the Moscow Format, besides India had earlier made it clear that official recognition for the current regime is presently not on the cards. According to the joint statement, participating countries of the Moscow Format called on the current Afghan leadership to take further steps to improve governance and to form a truly inclusive government that adequately reflects the interests of all major ethno-political forces in the country. This will be a fundamental prerequisite for the completion of the national reconciliation process in Afghanistan, the joint statement emphasised. Over the last two months India, Iran, Russia and some Central Asian states (Tajikistan in particular) have repeatedly asked the Taliban to form an inclusive government that represents the interests of all ethnic groups. The Taliban, according to the joint statement, was also asked to maintain regional stability without allowing the use of Afghan territory against its neighbours. This has been among India’s repeated demands. The joint statement without naming any extremist group expressed concern over activities of proscribed terror outfits on the Afghan territory. “Participating countries call on the current Afghan leadership to practice moderate and sound internal and external policies, adopt friendly policies towards neighbours of Afghanistan, achieve the shared goals of durable peace, security, safety, and long-term prosperity, and respect the rights of ethnic groups, women and children. Being concerned about the activities of proscribed terrorist organizations in Afghanistan, the sides reaffirmed their willingness to continue to promote security in Afghanistan to contribute to regional stability...” Russia, in a blunt message to the Taliban at the maiden Moscow Format meeting since the group stormed to power in Kabul, asked Taliban to remain committed to its pledge to refrain from using the territory of Afghanistan against third countries, including its friends and allies, echoing India’s sentiments. “We are calling upon the Taliban movement to strictly follow the policy of preventing the territory of Afghanistan from being used against the interests of any third countries, first and foremost, Afghanistan’s near neighbours — the Central Asian states…Our friends and allies. For our part, we plan to use our own capabilities, including those in the United Nations, the SCO, the CSTO, and other multilateral organisations,” Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said, backing India’s position on the issue. It may noted that Eurasian security alliance CSTO have been conducting military drills in Central Asian states including in Tajikistan near Afghan border to deter any spillover impact of radicalism and terrorism from Afghanistan. Lavrov had pointed out that the Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda (both outlawed in Russia) are seeking to take advantage of the instability in Afghanistan. “Numerous terror groups seek to take advantage of it (instability), first and foremost, the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, who are once again trying to lift up their heads, carrying out bold and deadly raids in various parts of the country,” he pointed out. According to Lavrov, the situation in Afghanistan following the establishment of a new balance of power cannot be described as stable.