Political settlement with Taliban has implications: BJP

BJP said condoning the ideology of the group which encourages terrorism against India would have serious security implications.

Condemning External Affairs Minister S M Krishna’s remarks that political settlement with Taliban was the solution in Afghanistan,BJP on Thursday said condoning the ideology of the group which encourages terrorism against India would have serious security implications.

“The agenda of Taliban is distinctly to destabilise India and for this purpose various terrorist groups operating within and carrying out attacks on our country get overt and covert support from them. Elements in Pakistani establishment,notably ISI,are one of the significant patrons of Taliban,” BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

He mentioned the alleged role of Taliban in the IC-814 plane hijack and reports of Taliban-trained terrorists being active in Kashmir.

Krishna had stated in an interview to Wall Street on the sidelines of the recent UN General Assembly in New York that NATO combat operations should give way to a political settlement with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

“Any recognition of the ideology of Taliban and settlement with them has serious security implications for India….the remarks of Krishna is not only disturbing but is also irresponsible which deserves to be condemned. He must explain what he means by dialogue and settlement with Taliban,” Prasad said.

He accused Krishna of speaking out of turn and not doing “any proper homework” before doing so.

“Taliban today creates fear and stands for massacre,murder,torture and the most extreme and brutal form of medieval violence. Dissent,dialogue,concern for human dignity and human rights has no place in their world view…they would go to any extent to dismember India,” Prasad said.

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The opposition demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh immediately explain the government’s position on the “utterly irresponsible comments” of the foreign minister.

Prasad said government should remember that the attack on Indian embassy in Kabul and on Indian engineers working in Afghanistan last year were planned and executed by Taliban.

India has a major stake in Afghanistan and has been in the forefront in helping the post-Taliban government there to re-build the country.

BJP said that India is surrounded by hostile neighbours and all efforts should be made to guard the country’s security and strategic interests.

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“A very belligerent China,a hostile Pakistan,Bangladesh becoming a sanctuary for extremists operating against India and the continuing state of uncertainty in Nepal are challenging indeed,” Prasad said.

He also pointed out that the statement of Air Chief Marshall P V Naik that India’s aircraft strength was just one-third of China was disturbing and there was a need for strengthening the inventory and weapons of our armed forces.