`Taliban`s any possible return to power a threat`

Taliban`s any possible return to power in Afghanistan could become a threat to South Asian nations like India and Pakistan, West Bengal Governor and former National Security Adviser M K Narayanan has said.

Singapore: Taliban`s any possible return
to power in Afghanistan could become a threat to South Asian
nations like India and Pakistan, West Bengal Governor and
former National Security Adviser M K Narayanan has said.

The collapse of Afghan government would lead to the
rise of radical Islam and other extremists ideologies in India
Pakistan and Bangladesh, Narayanan warned during a panel
discussion at a two-day Singapore Global Dialogue Friday.

"For the three South Asian countries it would be
existential issue if Afghanistan government collapses and
Taliban forces takeover," he said.

"India has vested interest in ensuring democracy in
Afghanistan and was also doing its best to help the country
economically," he told the inaugural session of the dialogue,
organised by Singapore`s S Rajaratnam School of International
Studies (RSIS).

On other regional issues, Narayanan underlined the
complimentary role both India and China were playing in the
global trade. He also added that both the neighbouring nations
were not competitors as widely seen by some of the
international community members.

Meanwhile, Zhu Chengzhu, Dean of the Defence Affairs
Institute in Beijing, said China saw a complimentary role with
India in the fast expanding global trade.

The Singapore Global Dialogue, held annually, brings
together a distinguished group of key policymakers, business
practitioners, professionals and public opinion leaders from
around the world.

PTI

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