LONDON: The US State Department has defended talking to the Taliban in Afghanistan to serve the interests of Washington in the Asian state and the wider region.
The department’s principal deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel, told journalists on Thursday that talking with the Taliban not only worked in US interests but also supported the people of Afghanistan.
The Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021 after the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces and the fall of the Western-backed government in the country.
They have drawn significant hostility in the international arena e for their repression of people, specifically their treatment of women and girls, limits on education, and reintroduction of violent punishment.
Some fear engaging with the Taliban could legitimize their rule but Patel said dialogue between the group and the US allows them to speak with the Taliban directly.
He said such interaction provides an opportunity for the US to continue to press for the immediate and unconditional release of US citizens in Afghanistan, including those who have been wrongfully detained.
“We’ll also use those opportunities to directly talk about the Taliban’s commitments to counterterrorism and of course, as always, human rights are also on the agenda,” he said.
