Even although India is enjoying it cautiously and never overtly criticizing the brand new Taliban regime in Afghanistan, Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday stated the Taliban had been the identical 20 years in the past. He additionally expressed apprehension that terrorist actions from Afghanistan “could flow into India”, whereas India was ready for it.
He was talking at an occasion organized by non-public suppose tank Observer Research Foundation, which was additionally attended by Admiral John C Aquilino, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command.
Rawat stated the tempo of the Taliban’s seize of Afghanistan had shocked India, with Delhi hoping it will be down a couple of months. However, he stated, “What occurred was one thing that was anticipated. Only the timeline has modified… From the Indian perspective we had been anticipating a Taliban takeover on Afghanistan. We had been involved that How can terrorist exercise from Afghanistan unfold to India. To that extent our contingency plan was occurring and we’re ready for that.”
On the Taliban, the Chief of Defense Staff stated, “It’s pretty much the same. It’s the same Taliban that was there 20 years ago,” including that “the news reports and reports of migrants are telling us how the Taliban are there.” “What has happened is that the partners have now changed. It is the same Taliban with different partners.”
Rawat’s remarks are the primary important remark by a senior Indian official on the Taliban. So far, Indian officers, whether or not at house or in worldwide boards, have acted cautiously, with out straight linking the Taliban to them, expressing concern concerning the scenario and the potential threats that would come from Afghanistan.
Personally, Indian officers have expressed fears that the rise of the Taliban may encourage terrorists to assault India, particularly in Kashmir.
On the scenario in Afghanistan as in comparison with points within the Indo-Pacific area, Rawat stated they had been “together in a different plane”. The Indo-Pacific situation was extra about freedom of navigation within the Indian and Pacific Oceans, he stated, including, “The Indo-Pacific and the Afghan situation should not be viewed through the same prism… both have challenges to security in the region.” But they’re on two completely different planes. And these two parallel strains aren’t prone to meet.”
Rawat stated India needs to be ready to struggle all terrorist actions, and is dedicated to making sure “a terrorist-free environment in the region”. “As far as Afghanistan is concerned, we will ensure that any activity that is likely to exit Afghanistan and then find its way into India is the way we are dealing with terrorism in our country.”
Rawat stated India would welcome any assist from different Quad nations (USA, Japan, Australia) on this, “at least in getting some intelligence inputs to identify terrorists and fight this global war on terrorism.” “.
Admiral Aquilino stated the United States was dedicated to getting all its residents and allies out of Afghanistan. “There has been close coordination between India and the Central Command to ensure that our citizens are safe and evacuated,” he stated.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
