Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai proposed using the potential of Iran, India and Russia to give a new lease of life to peace talks and establish security in Afghanistan. “If absence of peace in Afghanistan is because of internal disputes, then we, ourselves, should hold talks to settle our differences. However, the problem in Afghanistan is because of external factors. It is the interests of outside powers that have engulfed our country,” Karzai told Fars News Agency on Saturday. Noting that the current peace talks are being overseen by foreign powers, he said, “Pakistan, China and the US are involved in negotiations and making efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan. However, Iran, India and Russia, which are important regional states and neighbors, should also be part of the process.” The statements came as representatives from Pakistan, Afghanistan, the United States and China met in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday to continue work on a roadmap for peace talks with Taliban insurgents.
