United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief Bill Burns on Tuesday held talks over key security issues around Afghanistan with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval in New Delhi.
On the same day, Russian NSA Nikolay Patrushev also held talks with India’s security establishment over the concerns regarding the rise of the Taliban.
Both the CIA chief and Russian NSA arrived in Delhi as the Taliban announced its new interim government in Kabul. The terrorist outfit named 33 cabinet ministers, out of which 5 ministers are reportedly under UN sanctions for terrorism and drug trafficking.
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The Taliban even raised their flag in the Panjshir area, where the local militia has been holding their ground. Out of the major areas in Afghanistan, only the Panjshir valley remains outside of the control of the Taliban.
Multiple protests broke out as well at Mazar-e-Sharif and even in Zaranj against the Taliban, which the military organization termed as ‘outside interference” from Pakistan.
It is widely believed that the Taliban government formation is the result of a deal struck between the various Taliban factions, brokered by the Pakistan ISI chief Faiz Hameed, who arrived in Kabul on Monday. Afghanistan’s new leader, Mohammad Hasan Akhund is one of the founding members of the Taliban and has served as the foreign minister and deputy prime minister from 1996-2001 in the previous Taliban regime.
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With the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, major geopolitical, as well as global concerns, have risen, seeking the interest of major countries around the world. Both Russia and India have direct concerns due to the proximity with Afghanistan and have been working on security dialogues.
