There is nothing like good Taliban: India
Published on: Thursday, 19th March 2009 06:03 AM
By 
Administrator
Excerpts from the complete rediff.com article given below
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As it prepares to participate in two international conferences on Afghanistan, India on Wednesday cautioned against treating any section of Taliban [Images] as "good", in an apparent message to the United States, which has expressed readiness to hold talks with "moderate" militia.
Maintaining that it would be unwise to negotiate with Taliban and leave people to their mercy, sources in New Delhi [Images] 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 [Images] on March 27 and a conference in The Hague later this month.
India is expected to be represented by the Prime Minister's Special Envoy S K Lambah at the SCO meeting. Some high-ranking official will also be attending The Hague meet.
At these meetings, India will present its prescription for stabilisation of Afghanistan, which would include giving thrust to developmental initiatives besides military and security components in creating a zone of peace.
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."