Afghanistan Peace CampaignHe also emphasized that India, due to its significant regional interests, has adopted a similar approach toward the interim Afghan government./
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US Special Envoy for Afghan Peace, has spoken about Washington’s engagement with the interim Afghan government to bring about positive changes.
He stated that the goal of this engagement is to encourage the Islamic Emirate to respect girls’ educational rights and to establish a permanent system for Afghanistan’s future.
Khalilzad stated: “We don’t agree with some of their policies. We engage, also the United States engages with the Taliban. But we need to, as we engage for good reasons, we need to keep encouraging them to evolve on their views on women’s education, on girls, on a plan. What’s their plans for the longer term? Still after four years they are interim government. What is a permanent system for Afghanistan? What it will be?”
He also emphasized that India, due to its significant regional interests, has adopted a similar approach toward the interim Afghan government.
According to Khalilzad: “India is a neighboring country with a lot of interest and Taliban are part of the reality of Afghanistan as well as with the government of that time. So, I think on Afghanistan, US and India are of similar views now. Although I think India initially was skeptical of what we were trying to do.”
Meanwhile, Jannat Faheem Chakari, a political affairs analyst, said the Trump administration’s policies on Afghanistan may be subject to change, but there is no sign of fundamental contradiction between the current US administration and the interim government.
“Trump’s policies may change at any time, but from my perspective, there is no serious contradiction in his relations with Afghanistan’s current ruling power. In my opinion, some of the criticism being raised is aimed at reform, not severing ties; and for that reason, the US might continue working with the current administration,” said Jannat Faheem Chakari.
Khalilzad’s comments on the US’s purposeful engagement with the interim government come at a time when, seven months into Donald Trump’s return to power, the US has yet to make a clear stance on the Islamic Emirate except for a few criticisms over the manner of US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.