US resumes talks with Taliban in Doha; focus on reducing violence

US has purportedly resumed talks with Taliban in Qatar on Saturday, three months after US President Donald Trump abruptly halted   diplomatic efforts and called it "dead." As per news ncy PTI, talks in Doha will focus on reduction of violence through a ceasefire and intra-Afghan negotiations. US President Donald Trump had confirmed resumption of talks, however, had refused to give a timeline for drawdown of US troops.  "Yes," Trump told a small group of reporters at Bagram Air Field on vember 29. 

Taliban had called decision to abolish talks as 'unbelievable' and furr went on to say that Donald Trump's 'disappointing' tweets 'damd his credibility.' decision to call off peace negotiation with Taliban came after Donald Trump called off meeting with Taliban after being on 'threshold' of agreement.  "y (talks with Taliban) are dead. As far as I'm concerned, y're dead," Trump told reporters at White House in September. 

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"y ( Taliban) thought that (y) had to kill people in order to put mselves in a little better negotiating position... You can't do that with me," Trump said while responding to a question about his decision to cancel talks. "So, y dead as far as I'm concerned. We have hit Taliban harder in last four days than y have been hit in over 10 years. So that's way it is." Trump added. 

US and Taliban had appeared on verge of signing a deal that would have seen Washington begin withdrawing thousands of troops in return for security guarantees. It was also expected to pave way towards direct talks between Taliban and government in Kabul and, ultimately, a possible peace agreement after more than 18 years of war. During a surprise visit to a US military base in Afghanistan last week, Trump said Taliban "wants to make a deal." 

However, Trump left world astounded after US President made a Twitter anuncement of cancellation of a "secret meeting" with Taliban and Afghanistan counterpart Ashraf Ghani at Camp David near Washington, just a few days prior to 9/11 anniversary.    US President was called a "traitor" over revelation of a probable "secret meeting" with Taliban just days ahead of 18th anniversary of September 11. More than 2,400 U.S. troops have been killed since U.S. invaded Afghanistan to go after Taliban. Taliban was also harboring Al-Qaida leaders responsible for 9/11.

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Pakistan's role in peace talks

Pakistan on Thursday welcomed anuncement of resumption of stalled talks between US and Taliban, in response to  US State Department's anuncement to resume talks on Wednesday. Pakistan has been playing an active and negative role in Afghanistan, a US report asserted, stating that Islamabad is attempting to weaken government in Kabul.  As per a report, Pakistan has played an active, and by many accounts, a negative role in Afghan affairs for decades. "Pakistan's security services maintain ties to Afghan insurgent groups, most tably Haqqani Network, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) that has become an official, a semiautomous component of Taliban," CRS, which periodically prepares reports on issues of importance for Congressmen for m to make informed decisions, said. 

Islamabad's Afghan policy has been motivated to counter New Delhi's influence in Afghanistan, considering India's backing for government of country, which has brought some democratic rmalcy in war-torn country. Islamabad, by backing armed group has contradicted New Delhi in Afghanistan, who has significantly contributed ecomically, culturally to neighbour, and been largest regional contributor to reconstruction of Afghanistan.