India junks reports on Taliban's olive branch to Jaishankar in Doha
"We have seen social media reports claiming that External Affairs Ministry has met certain Taliban leaders. Such reports are completely false, baseless and mischievous," a source in the government establishment said.
FollowDismissing media reports speculating over an alleged meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and top Taliban leaders, India on Tuesday stated that the reports are completely false and mischievous.
"We have seen social media reports claiming that EAM has met certain Taliban leaders. Such reports are completely false, baseless and mischievous," a source in the government establishment said.
There was a report that the minister had met them in Doha during his visit to Kenya and Kuwait earlier this month. The minister made the stopover in Doha twice on June 9 and June 15.
During his stopovers, Jaishankar met his counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and minister of state for defence Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiya. He also met Qatari National Security Adviser Mohamed Bin Ahmed Al Mesned.
The reports claimed that during the meetings, the Talibani leadership assured Jaishankar that in the future, the Taliban's relations with India would not be based on Pakistan wishes.
In a virtual address at the UN Security Council a week back, Jaishankar said the intra-Afghan talks have not reduced violence in Afghanistan and called for the immediate dismantling of terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries for enduring peace in that country.
He had said New Delhi continues to stand with Afghanistan in ensuring restoration of normalcy through a legitimate democratic process that is essential for the long-term stability of Afghanistan and the region.
The Taliban and the Afghan government are holding direct talks in the Qatari capital city Doha to end 19 years of war.
