Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

US Supports Pak-Afghan Talks on Promoting Peace

US Supports  Pak-Afghan Talks on  Promoting Peace

NEW DELHI - US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman, currently on a swing through the region to discuss post-war Afghanistan, has said his country will encourage a Kabul-Islamabad dialogue on an Afghan-led peace process.
"Well, obviously, the issues of the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan are hugely important. We'd like to continue to be in close conversation with the Pakistanis on that issue as well," he told reporters in New Delhi during his visit on Friday.

Before leaving for Kabul, he said what happened between Afghanistan and Pakistan was extremely important. "We encourage dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan. We'd like again to get into the meeting of the Core Group..."

"I am on a trip that has taken me so far first to Turkey, then to Saudi Arabia, to the United Arab Emirates, and here today to India. We have made this trip in support of Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation and so after New Delhi this evening we are going to Kabul," he said.

Grossman said he would meet Afghan leaders, particularly President Hamid Karzai on what to do next in terms of advice on an Afghan-owned reconciliation process.

The envoy said he and the Indian foreign secretary, Ranjan Mathai, had reviewed the situation in Afghanistan. He appreciated India's desire for continued conversation with the United States on stabilising Afghanistan.
Asked if he was disappointed by not being allowed to go to Pakistan, Grossman replied: "The Pakistani government and Parliament have taken time to reevaluate its relationship with the United States.

"And I want to repeat, I respect that. They have asked for space to do that, I respect that. And so when they are ready to have a conversation, I'm ready at any time, at any place," the diplomat remarked.
To the question how worried the US was by developments in Pakistan, he said his country was carefully tracking the issues facing that country. "…when Pakistan is ready to reengage in a dialogue with the US, we're glad to do so at any time and at any place."

He explained the US supported the civilian government and democracy in Pakistan. "But you know, this is a question for the Pakistanis, this is an internal question for them. They have their own ways of going forward and, so I wouldn't comment any further on their internal developments."