PEACE and stability in Afghanistan is of paramount importance for the whole region in particular and the world in general.
This can only be achieved by engaging with the Taliban and other factions in the conflict ridden country as abandoning them will further worsen the situation.
Moscow talks on Afghanistan which brought together on one table the regional countries and the Taliban and other factions of Afghanistan, therefore, must be seen with a positive frame of mind and this process must continue in future as well in order to take the matters towards stability in Afghanistan.
Unlike many other countries, Russia has not evacuated its embassy in Kabul and its Ambassador has maintained regular contacts with the Taliban after they took over the Afghan capital in August.
This as well as the talks hosted by the Putin government in Moscow really shows their seriousness towards the situation in Afghanistan.
Other important countries should also follow the suit in order to take the country towards normalcy at the earliest.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in his remarks at Moscow parleys, emphasized that forming an inclusive government fully reflecting the interests of not only all ethnic groups but all political forces of the country is necessary to achieve lasting peace in Afghanistan.
The very stance of Russian government is in sync with other regional countries including Pakistan, China and Central Asian States.
Whilst Taliban has included people from different ethnicities in the government, but it really needs to do more to make a genuine representative government that is acceptable to the world.
It is really encouraging that the Taliban have shown the intent to engage with the world. Through Moscow like talks, they can be wooed to move faster on inclusivity. The sooner the Taliban do it, better will it be to get recognition at the regional level and beyond.
At the same time, the new set-up in Afghanistan should be fully supported to carry out day to day affairs. Apart from channelling humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people through the new setup, their assets should be unfrozen.
Forgetting the bitterness of the past, both the Taliban and the US will have to demonstrate flexibility and take forward the spirit of Doha peace process to achieve objective of lasting peace in Afghanistan.
