India can play a “significantly important role” as it enjoys goodwill among Afghans, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said, adding that Afghans see India as “a great historic friend and that historic friendship must be continued". He also advised New Delhi to re-open its embassy in Kabul.

“I’m very much yes disappointed that India has not played a bigger role. When India withdrew its diplomatic staff from Afghanistan, I advised them not to do that,” Karzai was quoted as saying in an interview to The Hindu, suggesting that staying in the country won’t entirely mean engagement with the government.

“There are also people there. There’s also a country, there is also a history that we have together,” he said.

Referring to over 2000 Afghan students who aren’t able to return to India to continue their studies, Karzai said, “I would very much wish that those students are issued visas for them to return to India.”

In the current circumstances where Afghanistan’s need for education is massive, New Delhi can a significantly important role, Karzai said.

Karzai, who was president for 13 years from 2001 to 2014, also said the Taliban wanted India to stay and still wants India back in Kabul. He, however, disagreed with the risk assessment attached to the safety and security of Indians had the Indian diplomatic staff decided to stay back.

In August last year, India closed down its embassy and other consulates in the weeks leading to the Taliban's final victory when the group toppled the US-backed democratic government. The move came after several Taliban factions, especially the infamous Haqqani Network, considered closely aligned with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, entered Kabul, raising grave security concerns.

Abbas Stanekzai, one of the top Taliban leaders, currently the deputy foreign minister in the interim Taliban government, had reportedly asked India to keep its embassy open in Kabul. He also offered security guarantees. New Delhi, however, was not convinced about these assurances.  

“We have had conversations about this with the caretaker administration. And the issue of India and the vision of India to Afghanistan as an embassy as a diplomatic mission, as a friend for Afghanistan, has been welcomed and has been sought.” Karzai said in the interview.
When asked if the Taliban would be able to provide security guarantees if India re-opens its embassy, Karzai said, “Absolutely.”

On India’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover, Karzai said, “There is this immensely kind assistance from India coming to Afghanistan in terms of medical supplies and other necessities, especially the wheat that India has sent Afghanistan. I want to emphasize my gratitude to India and to the people of India.”

On Pakistan, he said Afghans wanted “a civilized way, away from the use of extremism or all other violent methods of exerting influence in Afghanistan.” When asked if Islamabad has changed its attitude to Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, he said cryptically, “I can’t confirm that.”

(SAM)