US, Taliban Sign Deal To End War, India Hails Peace Pact

The United States and the Taliban on Saturday signed a peace deal in Doha after months of negotiations, aimed at ending the 18-year long war in Afghanistan and which will pave the way for Washington to withdraw all its troops from the country within 14 months.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, the agreement was signed between the representatives of the US and the Taliban in Qatar’s Doha in the presence of representatives of various countries.

Ahead of signing of the deal, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said the United States will closely watch the Taliban for their compliance with their commitments and calibrate the peace of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan with the group’s action.

Pompeo made the remarks ahead of signing the peace deal with the Taliban aimed at ending an 18-year long war in the country.

“Efforts only became real when the Taliban showed interest in pursuing real peace & ending their relationship with Al-Qaeda & other foreign terrorist groups. The agreement that we will sign today is the true test of this effort,” Pompeo said.

“We will closely watch the Taliban for their compliance with their commitments and calibrate the pace of our withdrawal with their actions. This is how we will ensure that Afghanistan never again serves as a base for international terrorists,” he added.

As per the joint declaration between Washington and the Afghan government, the US will withdraw all its forces from Afghanistan within 14 months. The plan is “subject to the Taliban’s fulfillment of its commitments under the US-Taliban agreement.

“The United States reaffirms its commitments regarding support for the Afghan security forces and other government institutions, including through ongoing efforts to enhance the ability of Afghan security forces to deter and respond to internal and external threats, consistent with its commitments under existing security agreements between the two governments,” the joint declaration read, as reported by Tolo News.

India, reacting to the US-Taliban peace deal and US-Afghanistan joint declaration, reiterated that its consistent policy is to support all opportunities that can bring peace, security and stability in Afghanistan and lead to a lasting political settlement through an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan controlled process.

“India’s consistent policy is to support all opportunities that can bring peace, security and stability in Afghanistan; end violence; cut ties with international terrorism; and lead to a lasting political settlement through an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan controlled process,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a statement.

Kumar said India has noted that the entire political spectrum in Afghanistan, including the Government, the democratic polity and civil society, has “welcomed the opportunity and hope for peace and stability generated by these agreements.”

“As a contiguous neighbour, India will continue to extend all support to the Government and people of Afghanistan in realising their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future where the interest of all sections of Afghan society are protected,” said Kumar.