US peace envoy expected in Delhi to discuss peace talks

Zalmay Khalilzad, the United States’ Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, is expected to meet India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Delhi on Tuesday to discuss issues around the Afghan peace talks. 

Khalilzad, who spent Monday in Pakistan with Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa and other top officials, is expected in India Tuesday. 

According to Indian media reports, Khalilzad will discuss the latest developments around the intra-Afghan negotiations that are currently underway in Doha, Qatar. 

India took part in the opening ceremony of the talks on Saturday and was represented by JP Singh, Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran), and Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar who addressed the gathering virtually.

In his virtual speech on Saturday, Jaishankar highlighted the need to maintain Afghanistan’s territorial sovereignty and the protection of minorities and women.

Stressing India’s long-standing stance of not engaging directly with the Taliban, Jaishankar reiterated that the peace process should be Afghan-owned and Afghan-led.

Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, also met Singh on the sidelines of the Doha talks over the weekend and thanked India for its continued support. 

In a post on Twitter after his return to Kabul, Abdullah said: “Had a good meeting with JP Singh, JS (PAI), Ministry of External Affairs of India @MEAIndia in Doha-Qatar. We took stock of the developments on the peace efforts, and the need for genuine regional and international support or talks. I also thanked India for its continued support.”