New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said on Thursday that for India the 'historical relationship' with the Afghan people has always been important and that relationship with the 'Afghan people obviously continues'.
"I think that relationship with the Afghan people obviously continues and that will guide our approach in Afghanistan in the coming days," the Minister told journalists in the UN.
Dr Jaishankar was specifically asked during a brief media interaction in New York on whether New Delhi would have any working relation with a Taliban regime or Taliban-backed regime in Afghanistan as India has over the last 20 years made heavy 'investment' in Afghanistan.
"Look, first of all, you (the journalist) used the word investment, for us it reflected what was the historical relationship with the Afghan people. I think that relationship with the Afghan people obviously continues and that will guide our approach in Afghanistan in the coming days," the Minister said.
To another specific question on whether India had any communication with the Taliban in recent times, he said: "At this point of time we are looking at the evolving situation in Kabul. Obviously the Taliban and its representatives have come to Kabul, I think, we have to take it on from there".
He also said "these are early days" to answer or take calls on certain questions more specifically. "Our focus right now is to ensure safety and security of Indian nationals over there".
Asked whether some elements in Pakistan could disturb or influence things in Afghanistan, he was again
categorical: "At the moment like everybody else, we are very carefully following the developments in Afghanistan.
I think our focus is on ensuring the security of Indians in Afghanistan and the safe return. That has been very much the focus of my talks with the UN Secretary General and other colleagues."
This has been the focus even during his talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also, he said.
ends
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