Russian President Vladimir Putin, while giving a big statement on Afghanistan and Taliban, has directly challenged the long-running narrative of Pakistan. In an exclusive interview with India Today Group, Putin said that “Taliban is the reality of Afghanistan” and the current regime is actively working against terrorism. This statement of Putin weakened Islamabad’s claim that Pakistan has been blaming Taliban for increasing terrorism within itself and has been trying to link India’s role in it.
Speaking on the situation in Afghanistan, Putin said, “Every country has a lot of problems. And Afghanistan is no exception, given that for decades this country was embroiled in civil war. It is terrible. But the Taliban clearly controls the situation in Afghanistan and this is clear. First of all it must be said, and you have to accept it because this is the reality.”
He also said, “It is important to note that the Afghan government is taking a number of steps to combat terrorism and various terrorist organizations, including ISIL and others like them. We know this very well.”
Putin said the Taliban regime has drastically reduced opium production and taken steps to combat the drug menace. “Afghan authorities have significantly reduced opium production in their country and are actively addressing the threat of narcotics flowing across the borders,” he said. He also added, “There are many other important issues here as well. The main thing is that you have to be in touch with the current leadership to influence what is happening in the country. That is what we are doing.”
Russia has been growing closer to the Taliban in recent months and has hosted several Taliban delegations in Moscow. Russia is the first country to formally recognize the Taliban regime. Islamabad has been alleging for years that the Afghan Taliban harbors Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and promotes terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Pakistan even said that the Taliban regime is a puppet of India and India has a role in increasing instability in the region, which India has rejected many times.
But this narrative of Pakistan has come under challenge due to Putin’s statement. Relations between Kabul and Islamabad are currently at their lowest level. Amid cross-border shelling, air strikes and Pakistan’s expulsion of more than half a million Afghan refugees from the country in winter. By praising Taliban’s counter-terrorism operations, Putin has not only strengthened Kabul’s position but also dealt a blow to Pakistan’s fabricated nonsense in which it calls Taliban the main reason for its security problems.
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