Kabul: Afghanistan’s Defense Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid has firmly rejected Pakistan’s allegations linking India to regional tensions, calling them “unfounded, illogical, and unacceptable". He said that Kabul maintains its foreign relations independently and will strengthen ties with India in line with its national interests.
“These accusations are groundless. Our policy will never involve using our territory against other countries. We maintain relations with India as an independent nation and will strengthen those ties within the framework of our national interests,” Mujahid told Al Jazeera.
Mujahid also addressed Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. He said Kabul seeks to build ties with Islamabad on the basis of good neighborliness and trade expansion. “Afghanistan and Pakistan are neighboring countries. Tensions between them serve no one. Their relationship should be founded on mutual respect and good neighborly principles,” he added.
Mujahid further spoke on Afghanistan’s policy, which, according to him, is not to support armed groups against any country, including Pakistan, and highlighted that Afghans will “bravely” defend their homeland if attacked. Afghanistan and Pakistan have had strained relations since the withdrawal of US-led troops and the return of the Taliban government. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban authorities of providing safe havens to militant groups amid a surge of attacks targeting its security forces.
Taliban govt urges US to reopen embassyAfghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Tolo News that the Emirate views its ties with the US as primarily economic and political. "We support good relations with all countries, including the US, and our relations should rely on two channels: diplomatic and trade." He also addressed recent remarks by the US President concerning Bagram Airbase. "They sometimes talk about Bagram or other matters. We told them: instead of Bagram, activate your embassy in Kabul. By reopening this diplomatic channel, Afghanistan and the US can have proper and legitimate relations," Mujahid added. |
