The Biden administration seeks a “responsible end” to the war in Afghanistan, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in Kabul on his first trip in his current capacity. Austin made an unannounced stop in Kabul on Saturday on his way back from India. 

The visit comes at a time when the deadline, 1 May, for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan is nearing. When asked about the withdrawal of forces, Austin said: “In terms of an end date or setting a specific date for withdrawal, that’s the domain of my boss (US President Biden).”  

In Kabul, he held meetings with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday and discussed the peace process. He said his visit was intended to let him (Ghani) “listen and learn”. 

He also held review meetings with senior US and Afghan military officials in the capital. 

Last week, Biden had termed the withdrawal by the May 1 deadline "tough". 

“It could happen, but it is tough,” he said in an interview to ABC network. 

The US is now focusing on creating a regional consensus for a political solution in a bid to end the four decades of war in Afghanistan. Russia last week hosted a meeting of the extended troika which saw the participation from Pakistan, China, the US, and the delegations of the Taliban and Afghanistan. 
 
The grouping stated in its joint statement that the return of the Islamic Emirate was unacceptable to the international community.