Expected Taliban takeover of Afghanistan but timeline surprised us: CDS Bipin Rawat

Expected Taliban takeover of Afghanistan but timeline surprised us: Bipin Rawat

Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday reiterated that any possible terrorist activities leaving Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and gaining entry into India would be dealt with harshly, and suggested that Quad nations should increase cooperation in the global war on terror.

General Rawat said India was expecting a Taliban takeover of Afghanistan but the timeline of the latest developments has taken him by surprise, noting that the dress code has not changed in the last 20 years. He was speaking at an interactive session organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) with Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command.

In his remarks, Admiral Aquilino referred to the challenges facing India, particularly in the context of "sovereignty over the Line of Actual Control" as well as "basic security concerns" in the South China Sea region, with China's clear reference to aggressive behavior. The Chief of Defense Staff said India is committed to ensuring a terror-free environment in the region.

As far as Afghanistan is concerned, we will ensure that the way we are dealing with terrorism in our country will be dealt with in the same way that it is possible to get out of Afghanistan and then enter India. He said, "I think if any other support could be obtained from the Quad nations to at least identify terrorists and obtain intelligence to fight this global war on terror, I think it would be welcomed."

The quad includes India, the US, Japan and Australia. General Rawat said New Delhi was concerned about the possibility of terrorist activities from Afghanistan affecting India and contingency plans were in place to meet such a challenge. "From India's point of view, we expected the Taliban to take over Afghanistan. We were concerned about how terrorist activities could flow from Afghanistan to India.

"And to that extent, our contingency planning was ongoing and we are ready for it. Yes, the timeline definitely surprised us. We expected this to happen in a few months. "The same Taliban that were there 20 years ago. News reports and reports of expats from there tell us what kind of activities the Taliban are in. The Taliban with different partners," General Rawat observed. His remarks come amid growing concerns over the possibility of an increase in the activities of various terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Admiral Aquilino spoke mostly about the challenges facing the Indo-Pacific, noting that it is the most consequential region for the future. "Attacking a rule-based international system that allows freedom of navigation for all is certainly one of the most complex challenges," he said, adding that "freedom of navigation allows two-thirds of the world's economy to pass through the South China Sea. Flows through the area. It is critical to the prosperity of all nations and when it is challenged and potentially confronted, it will have a negative impact on all nations in the region, "Admiral Aquilino said.

He described the challenges as "basic security concerns." The people of Hong Kong, ”CDS Bipin Rawat.

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