Change of power in Kabul not inclusive, happened without negotiations: PM Modi

In an indication that India would refrain from recognising the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the change in regime was not inclusive and has happened without negotiations, raising questions over its acceptance.

Modi also warned that extremist organisations in other parts of the world might be encouraged to grab power through violence.

This is the first time that the highest political leadership in India has described the change of regime in Kabul in such terms.


Addressing the SCO-CSTO Outreach Summit on Afghanistan, Modi said there were four main issues on which the global community needed to focus on.

“First, the change in power in Afghanistan is not inclusive. It happened without negotiations. This raises questions over the acceptance of the new system. The representation of women, minorities and all sections of Afghan society is essential,” Modi said in his first remarks on the change of ‘government’ in Afghanistan.

“That's why it is essential that the global community take a decision on the recognition of the new system, collectively and with proper deliberation. On this matter, India supports the central role of the United Nations,” he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed similar thoughts in his address.

Putin said the Afghan government formed by the Taliban (outlawed in Russia) is not representative and inclusive and there were no members of other ethnic groups but noted that it was essential to work with it.