Nothing to provide, says Pentagon to WION on reports of US cutting troops in Afghanistan
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According to New York Times report, 'The Trump administration is withdrawing roughly 7,000 troops from Afghanistan in the coming months'.
A day after US President Trump announced the withdrawal of forces from Syria, media reports from the US said that Washington will be withdrawing 7,000 troops from Afghanistan.
According to a New York Times report, "the Trump administration is withdrawing roughly 7,000 troops from Afghanistan in the coming months."
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the development.
The Pentagon is, however, mum on the development. In a reply to WION's question, Pentagon said, "have nothing to provide."
The development can have a major impact in the region especially with India playing an important developmental role in the war-torn country. In recent months hectic talks have been going on to stabilise the country - from the US talking to the Taliban, to Russia-led Moscow talks and China leading tri-party talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Taliban recently held talks with the US in Abu Dhabi. The main point of contention from the group has been "withdrawal of foreign troops".
Meanwhile, earlier this week, Russian special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov was in India for regular bilateral consultations between India and Russia on Afghanistan. The Russian special envoy held delegation-level talks with joint secretary (PAI) Deepak Mittal and called on foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale.
Giving details on the meeting, the ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "Both sides reiterated support for Afghan-led and Afghan-owned inclusive peace and reconciliation process."
The Russian side briefed the Indian side their efforts to support the Afghan peace process through the Moscow-format talks. It agreed to "maintain regular bilateral consultations and coordination to promote peace, security, stability, unity and prosperity in Afghanistan."
Earlier this year, India had informally participated in Moscow talks in which the Taliban also participated. India had sent two former envoys - Amar Sinha, who was India's ambassador to Afghanistan and TCA Raghavan, India's envoy to Pakistan to participate in the meet.
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