Afghan peace talks, US troops on India's agenda

New Delhi: India — as the key player in South Asia with huge stakes in Kabul — will seek to understand US plans for troop withdrawal and Taliban peace talks including interim Govt when American Special Representative for Afghan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad meets senior Indian officials in Delhi on Monday and Tuesday.

India does not favour interim government and would rather prefer that Afghanistan hold presidential polls as scheduled this year to elect President, according to persons familiar with the developments.

Khalilzad who also held talks with Russia and China over future of politics in Afghanistan would Khalilzad is expected to brief India about the current state of negotiations with the Taliban and the evolving situation in Kabul, where presidential elections have been postponed for the time being.


Khalilzad wants to conclude peace talks much ahead of US Presidential polls next year.

India maintains that creation of an interim government in Kabul will give a free hand to Pakistan Army-ISI leading to entry of Taliban into the mainstream and Pak-sympathisers in positions of power. Delhi is seeking to safegaurd its interests in Afganistan and prevent expansion of anti-India network in the landlocked country.

Khalilzad is scheduled to meet external affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Tuesday. The visit is a part of the effort to facilitate a political settlement that ends the conflict in Afghanistan.