Iran backs New Delhi stand on Taliban

[EjazR]

Iran backs New Delhi stand on Taliban: India Today - Latest Breaking News from India, World, Business, Cricket, Sports, Bollywood.

Iran on Monday dismissed recent Western overtures to the Taliban.

Iranian envoy to India Seyed Mehdi Nabizadeh advocated a regional approach involving India to address the Afghan quagmire.

Iran, like India, has a lot at stake in Afghanistan. But unlike Pakistan, it has no sympathies for the Taliban. This was made clear by Nabizadeh.

"There is no such thing as good or bad Taliban. Taliban is Taliban. Extremists should not be part of any government in Kabul. Any government should see more participation by Afghan citizens," Nabizadeh said on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution.

Iran also offered to "facilitate" talks between India and Pakistan. India has suggested February 18 and 25 as the possible dates for foreign secretary- level talks.

While Pakistan is yet to respond, Nabizadeh expressed Tehran's interest to facilitate talks between the two neighbours.

"Iran, a friend of both India and Pakistan, can play a role in facilitating the negotiations if there is any need," he said.

New Delhi has always opposed third-party intervention in Indo-Pak affairs and is unlikely to welcome the offer. However, Iran's stand on the Taliban will be music to India's ears.

Nabizadeh cautioned that the return of the Taliban would further deteriorate the regional security situation.

India, too, has taken the same line. Ahead of the January 28 London Conference on Afghanistan, external affairs minister S.M. Krishna had voiced India's opposition to the idea of 'good' and 'bad' Taliban. But the meet rejected India's argument.

The US-led efforts to broker talks between Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai government and the Taliban have alarmed India. It fears that the return of the Taliban would jeopardise its interests.

 

[navtrek]

Well that certainly not what the Americans think ?

 

[TechLahore]

"There is no such thing as good or bad Taliban. Taliban is Taliban. Extremists should not be part of any government in Kabul. Any

This is not different to Pakistan's stance on the subject either. Please refer to Gen. Kiyani's speech in which he has made it crystal clear that Pakistan is not wanting a different fate for Afghans than what it wants for its own citizens. Pakistan will not support an extremist government in Kabul, but will certainly support proper Pashtun representation.

Iran's interests in Afghanistan are not any different to our own. They, like us, want lasting stability there. They, like us, want an inclusive government. They, like us, are wary of the NATO/ISAF presence in Afghanistan and feel that it can only destabilize things. They, more than us, feel that the NATO move into Afghanistan was designed to "encircle" them. So, while Pakistan and Iran are both against fringe extremists, both of us are interested in the departure of NATO forces and for the situation in the region to work itself out naturally.

Iran also offered to "facilitate" talks between India and Pakistan. India has suggested February 18 and 25 as the possible dates for foreign secretary- level talks.

"Iran, a friend of both India and Pakistan, can play a role in facilitating the negotiations if there is any need," he said.

New Delhi has always opposed third-party intervention in Indo-Pak affairs and is unlikely to welcome the offer.

Since India has always had a problem with third parties mediating between India and Pakistan, I am sure the Indian Foreign Office didn't like hearing this much. The headline neglected to pick up on this, I suppose. Oh well. For its part, Pakistan would certainly encourage Turkish, Iranian, Chinese and/or US participation in a multi-party discussion on Kashmir and other issues.

The US-led efforts to broker talks between Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai government and the Taliban have alarmed India. It fears that the return of the Taliban would jeopardise its interests.

A scenario as extreme as the impending return of the Taliban is not a necessary article of faith to conclude that Indian interests in Afghanistan have been jeopardized. The mere inclusion of Pashtuns in government - to the degree they deserve on account of demographics - will undo the Indian play in Bactria. The Pashtuns witnessed and experienced the Northern Alliance barbarians first hand when they invaded Kabul. Were it not for that rape, murder and brutality executed by the NA thugs, there never would have been a Taliban. The Indians have unfortunately been hand in glove with the worst of these thugs. I don't think that will be a fact easily overlooked by the Pashtuns when they return to power in Kabul.

 

[Sino-PakFriendship]

India, Iran, Russia, China (Big 4 anti-Taliban / Al Qaeda forces)

no need for NATO to stay in Afghanistan.

 

[SinoIndusFriendship]

India, Iran, Russia, China (Big 4 anti-Taliban / Al Qaeda forces)

no need for NATO to stay in Afghanistan.

You make small mistake: The stabilizing anti-extremism nations that can help Afghan are:

1) Pakistan -- most important

2) Iran

3) China

4) Russia

 

[Creder]

I dont think Iran is in any kind of position to make any statement regarding any foreign/regional issues. Obama's after Ahmdenijad's balls, using Taliban to reach out to india diplomatically is a good effort, but it won't go anywhere.

Officer USA : You have right to pamper each other but anything that Iran says or does will be used against you

 

[Creder]

sir its not matter what you think

yes iran now need friend as usa is palning to act on iran

Iran know what is importance of india and china

Iran is playing its cards

yeah it doesnt just as what you say has no meaning, according to your argument iran needs india and china. China can stand up to US to defend Iran, you think India can ? especially when even russia is going up against iran too ?... Think before you post, Iran is reaching out to India, all of whose allies are against Iran. In what twisted logic does Iran stand to gain anything from this ? Indian support ? India already snubbed Iran at the nuclear summit thingy majigy

 

[Sino-PakFriendship]

You make small mistake: The stabilizing anti-extremism nations that can help Afghan are:

1) Pakistan -- most important

2) Iran

3) China

4) Russia

USA, NATO, Turkey, Al Qaeda, Taliban, East Turkistan terrorist groups, some Indian pro-Western organizations are allies.

We must join together (w/ Pakistan, Russia, Iran, Indian anti-Taliban / Al Qaeda organizations)to KO USA and her minions in Central Asia!

 

[flameboard]

Most Pakistanis think the same way.

 

[KS]

Why is a eleven month old thread bumped ?

 

[Nair saab]

USA, NATO, Turkey, Al Qaeda, Taliban, East Turkistan terrorist groups, some Indian pro-Western organizations are allies.

We must join together (w/ Pakistan, Russia, Iran, Indian anti-Taliban / Al Qaeda organizations)to KO USA and her minions in Central Asia!

strange Al Qaeda's name in both pro west & central asian list...
according to u there are two type of al quida...
India will not stand with neither usa nor Al Quaida...we have our own personal interest...& our army is for protecting our borders not for using it in support of USA or against USA...