Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Tuesday said peace talks between the United States and Afghan Taliban militants would be affected if India resorted to violence against Pakistan in response to a deadly bombing in the Kashmir region.
The remarks by Zahid Nasrullah come as tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours has risen sharply over the killing in Indian-held Kashmir on Thursday of 40 Indian paramilitary police in a suicide bomb attack claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammad militant group.
US envoys say Pakistan has an important role to play in the Afghan peace effort, given its links to the Taliban. Taliban representatives are due to meet US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalizad in Qatar on Feb 25 in the next round of talks to end America’s longest war.
Published in Daily Times, February 20th 2019.
