Washington boosts diplomatic ties with Afghanistan ahead of May 1 deadline

The United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that Washington is engaged in a diplomatic effort for the stable future of Afghanistan.

According to media reports, the US official in his statement said that US so far not made a decision on May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of troops from Afghan soil. However, he added, Biden administration is engaged to pave the way to drive the warring parties to the table

He said that the insurgent groups in Afghanistan are falling short from meeting their commitments and the deadline would have to be rethought.

He also added that Washington boosted diplomatic ties with Afghanistan and wants to see the progress in making the region secure and peaceful.

Blinken earlier proposed in a letter to Afghan leaders that a senior-level meeting willtake place “in the coming weeks” in Turkey. The meeting is scheduled on March 27.

Blinken, in his letter, put forth suggestions to the Afghan government to quicken the peace process, including convening a UN-facilitated conference with international stakeholders, proposals to facilitate discussion between the two sides to form a negotiated settlement and ceasefire.