Kabul: In a bid to mollify their neighbouring countries and portray a much more polished image than ever, the Taliban leaders issued a statement regarding their intention to maintain amicable relations within the neighbourhood and beyond.
“We want strong and healthy relations with our neighbours and all other countries based on mutual respect and interaction. Our relations with those countries will be based on the highest interests and benefits of Afghanistan,” states a Taliban release.
Incidentally, it is pertinent to mention that Taliban had earlier wished to have a beneficial trade relations with India and also stay away from the contentious Jammu & Kashmir issue. But they later retracted a bit stating they would not hesitate to take up Muslims’ cause including the ones in Kashmir which has caused doubts in the minds of the Indian establishment.
Meanwhile, the Taliban regime is slowly and steadily garnering support with countries like China, Pakistan, Qatar and others giving enough indications to recognise the Taliban caretaker government. Pakistan has always played a pro-active role in bolstering the Taliban image and with China and also Russia following suit, it remains to be seen how the rest react.
