Former Ambassadors seek govt role on easing Afghan tensions

KATHMANDU: Former ambassadors have called on the government to move ahead with dialogue with the concerned countries as the chair nation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), saying that the political situation in Afghanistan could lead to regional instability.

Issuing a joint statement on Tuesday, former ambassadors Hiranya Lal Shrestha, Deep Kumar Upadhyay, Durgesh Man Singh, Suresh Chalise and Mahesh Maskey drew the attention of the government towards the growing tensions in Afghanistan.

“The political advancement of Taliban in Afghanistan is indeed a subject of concern to all SAARC member countries. The unfolding situation there will have a far-reaching consequence on the region,” the statement said, adding, ” Although Taliban has declared amnesty across Afghanistan, called women to resume work, schools and join the government and are working for a negotiated settlement with other groups for the governance of the country, their appeal to international community for recognition has met with skepticism because of their past record.”

They have pointed out that as the chair of the SAARC has a momentous role for the stability in the region and have urged the government of Nepal to immediately take necessary initiative to start a dialogue with the relevant countries in the region.