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It is not in US interest for Afghanistan to be a failed state: Khalilzad
It is not in the interest of the United States for Afghanistan to be a failed state, Washington’s former special envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, has said.
In a discussion released on Saturday by US-based investment bank and financial services company Goldman Sachs, Khalilzad said that parts of the US deal with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) have not been implemented.
“Parts of it were implemented, parts are not,” Khalilzad said. “We need to go back and tell the Talibs (IEA) let’s finish the unfinished business.”
Khalilzad said that he was not optimistic IEA would move toward inclusivity or ensuring women’s rights.
“But there is a rigorous debate inside the Taliban (IEA) on this issue,” he said.
According to the former envoy, not all IEA officials agree with girls not going to high school. “Some of them have spoken quite forcefully.”
Khalilzad suggested that the US is still facing the challenge of what to do with IEA.
“Do we embrace them or do we isolate them? pressure them? Do the right things on human rights, women’s rights and on inclusivity. I think that challenge remains,” Khalilzad said, adding moving towards recognition is not currently on the table.
IEA however said it remains committed to the Doha Agreement.
Bilal Karimi, IEA’s deputy spokesman, said that they have implemented their parts of the agreement and have met the conditions for recognition.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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