Taliban praises India for resisting US prodding

Kabul, June 17 (ANI): The Afghan Taliban on Sunday praised India for resisting the United States' (US) calls for greater military involvement in Afghanistan.

The Taliban acknowledged India as a "significant country" in the region, adding that India was aware of the Afghans' aspirations.

"No doubt India is a significant country in the region. They are aware of the Afghans' aspirations, creeds and love for freedom. It is totally illogical they should plunge their nation into a calamity just for the American pleasure," the Taliban said in a statement.

It further praised India for sending U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta "empty handed towards Kabul."

"He (Panetta) spent three days in India to transfer the heavy burden to their shoulders, to find an exit and to flee from Afghanistan," the statement said, adding, "Some reliable media sources said that the Indian authorities did not pay heed to demands and showed their reservations, because the Indians know or they should know that the Americans are grinding their own axe."

Taliban said it wants to have cordial relations on the basis of sovereignty, equality, mutual respect and independence in each other's internal affairs.

It said the solution of the Afghan issue lies in the withdrawal of the external forces and to leave the sovereignty of Afghanistan to Afghans themselves.

Taliban also vowed not to allow use of the Afghan soil for anyone's damage.

"We have made it clear that no one would be allowed to use the Afghan soil for anyone's detriment," it said.

India is one of the biggest donors in Afghanistan, spending about USD 2 billion on civilian projects ranging from the construction of highways to the building of the Afghan parliament. (ANI)