19 March,2009 02:33 PM IST | | PTI
In an apparent message to the US, which has expressed willingness to hold talks with 'moderate' militia, India has cautioned against treating any section of Taliban as 'good' even as it readies to participate in two international conferences on Afghanistan.
Maintaining that it would be unwise to negotiate with Taliban and leave people to the mercy of the militant outfit, sources here said efforts should instead be made to strengthen the age-old tribal structures, which are still intact in Afghanistan.
The situation in Afghanistan, over which world concerns are growing because of resurgence of Taliban, will be discussed at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Moscow on March 27 and at a conference in The Hague later this month.
India is expected to be represented by the Prime Minister's Special Envoy SK Lambah at the SCO meeting during which it will present its views for stabilisation of Afghanistan.
This would include giving thrust to developmental initiatives besides military and security components in creating a peace zone.
India feels that efforts should be made to create 'secure areas' and promote developmental activities in such areas, a process that would alienate the Taliban.
New Delhi disfavours any negotiations with Taliban, either in Afghanistan or Pakistan, saying there are no good elements in the fundamentalist militia as is claimed by some sections.
"There is no good Taliban or bad Taliban. Leaving people at the mercy of Taliban is no solution," the sources said, adding negotiations with Taliban will serve no purpose.
The comment is a veiled message to the US, which has expressed willingness to hold talks with 'moderate' Taliban. "The old tribal structures still work in Afghanistan and they have no place for Taliban or other extremists," sources said, suggesting a three-pronged approach covering development, security and governance for the region.
