Pakistan's involvement in Afghanistan not sending positive message to India, says US Senator

During a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan on Thursday, Republican Senator Marco Rubio accused previous US administrations of disregarding Pakistan's role in assisting the Taliban's regrouping.

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Washington D.C., First Published Sep 15, 2021, 10:48 AM IST | Last Updated Sep 15, 2021, 10:48 AM IST

The involvement of Pakistan in allowing the Taliban is a success for the country's hardliners, according to a prominent American senator, who claims that the developing events in Afghanistan and Islamabad's participation in Kabul are not sending a positive message to India. During a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan on Thursday, Republican Senator Marco Rubio accused previous US administrations of disregarding Pakistan's role in assisting the Taliban's regrouping. At the same time, other US senators voiced worry about Islamabad's "double-dealing."

"India... I know there was a statement today that the Quad will meet pretty soon, which is a fantastic thing, except that the Indo-Pacific area, if you're India, is looking at this and thinking, 'If the US allows Pakistan to unravel its status," he said. "Because of Pakistan's participation in all of this, which I believe numerous administrations have ignored. The Pakistani government's participation in supporting the Taliban is ultimately a win for pro-Taliban hardliners," Antony Blinken was informed by Marc Rubio.

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He said that despite the Taliban suffered fatalities; they had a safe haven in Pakistan for all these years. Senator Mike Rounds stated that Pakistan is contemplating the Taliban administration as a counter-insurgency partner. On September 24, US President Joe Biden will hold the first in-person Quad meeting in Washington, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. The four presidents will discuss supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, solving the climate problem, expanding their connections, and boosting practical collaboration on issues like combatting COVID-19, according to White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

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