Indian envoy to Qatar meets Taliban leader, raises concern over terrorism

New Delhi

 Indian envoy to Qatar Deepak Mittal on Tuesday metTaliban leader Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai in Doha, first high-level contactbetween the two sides on a day the US completed withdrawal of its troops fromAfghanistan.

The Ministry of External Affairs said Ambassador Mittal raised India's concernat the meeting that Afghanistan's soil should not be used for anti-Indianactivities and terrorism in any manner.

It said the discussions focused on safety, security and early return of Indiannationals stranded in Afghanistan as well as the travel of Afghan nationalswishing to come to India. The MEA said the Taliban leader assured Mittal thatthese issues would be positively addressed.

"Today, Ambassador of India to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, met Sher MohammadAbbas Stanekzai, the Head of Taliban's Political Office in Doha," the MEAsaid in a release. It said the meeting took place at the Embassy of India,Doha, on the request of the Taliban side.

"Discussions focused on safety, security and early return of Indiannationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especiallyminorities, who wish to visit to India also came up," the MEA said. "AmbassadorMittal raised India's concern that Afghanistan's soil should not be used foranti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner," it added.