'Withdrawal of foreign forces is the only way of peace in Afghanistan': Taliban at Moscow dialogue

The Taliban has said that the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan is the only way for maintaining peace and security in the region.

Quoting sources, Tolo News reported that the statement was passed by the Taliban representatives who attended the Moscow Summit on Afghanistan's peace, on Friday, along with the envoys from 11 different countries including the United States, India and Pakistan.

READ| Amid Moscow Talks, Afghan Officials Claim Attacks By Taliban

A delegation of Afghanistan's High Peace Council (HPC) members who also attended the meeting, in addition, said that the land-locked country would not need the help of any foreign power after peace is established in the country.

The meeting was inaugurated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who looked forward to establishing direct talks between Kabul and the Taliban. He said that the meeting aimed at removing the Daesh militants entirely from Afghanistan that has almost become a permanent base point from where terrorist activities are carried out in Central Asia and further.

Meanwhile, no representative from the Afghanistan government attended the Moscow meeting.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a statement said that the Afghan government would welcome efforts by any country that could help in establishing peace.

READ| 'Where Did We Say There Were Talks With The Taliban?': External Affairs Ministry Takes On Politicisation Of Moscow Dialogue

The attendance of India at the Moscow peace conference had led to a domestic political face-off in India.  

While the Ministry of External Affairs had stated that there would be no talks with the Taliban at the Moscow dialogue and that India is participating in a non-official capacity, the Congress and the National Conference added a Kashmir-angle to the matter and questioned the government over separatists.

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement where spokesperson Raveesh Kumar refuted claims of holding talks with the Taliban, saying, “Where did we say there were talks with the Taliban? We did not say it. We said we would be participating in a meeting on Afghanistan hosted by Russia. We had decided to participate it non-officially. No press release mentioned that there would be any talks with the Taliban.”

(inputs from ANI)