Biden rules out changes in US troop withdrawal plan from Afghanistan
Washington, Aug 11 (PTI): President Joe Biden has ruled out any change in the US plan to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan despite the Taliban increasingly gaining control over large swaths of the war-torn country, saying Afghan leaders need to come together and fight for themselves and their nation.
President Biden in April ordered the withdrawal of all the US troops from Afghanistan by September 11 to end America's longest war.
The Pentagon's massive task of removing service members and equipment out of Afghanistan is nearly complete and the US military mission is slated to end by August 31.
No, Biden told reporters on Tuesday at the White House when asked if his current plan to withdraw troops could change at all.
Look, we spent over a trillion dollars over 20 years. We trained and equipped over 300,000 Afghan forces. Afghan leaders have to come together. We lost thousands -- lost to death and injury -- thousands of American personnel. They've got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation, he asserted.
The United States -- I'll insist we continue to keep the commitments we made of providing close air support, making sure that their air force functions and is operable, resupplying their forces with food and equipment, and paying all their salaries. But they've got to want to fight. They have outnumbered the Taliban, Biden said.
As the US troops withdrew from Afghanistan, the Taliban has made stunning battlefield advances despite being vastly outnumbered by the Afghan military.
Over the weekend, the Taliban seized five provincial Afghan capitals. Biden said the Afghans are beginning to realise they've got to come together politically at the top.
But we are going to continue to keep our commitment. But I do not regret my decision, he said.
Earlier, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters the US went to Afghanistan to deliver justice to those who attacked them on September 11, to disrupt terrorists seeking to use Afghanistan as a safe haven to attack the US.
We achieved those objectives some years ago, she said.
We judge the threat now against our homeland, which is his responsibility as commander-in-chief to focus on, as being one where the threat emanates from outside of Afghanistan, she added.
The President asked for a clear assessment, for a review from his team on what the possible implications could be, she said.
"He asked them not to sugarcoat that. He asked them to lay out specifically and clearly what the consequences could be," she added.
I'll also note that we have provided a great deal and a range of assistance to the Afghan National Security Defence Forces and also proposed a significant amount of funding in the FY 2022 budget request for USD 3.3 billion for the Afghan Security Forces, she said.
So, he made a decision as commander-in-chief. Those are difficult decisions to make. He did it because after 20 years at war, it's time to bring our troops -- our men and women -- home. And we will continue to be partners and supporters of their efforts on the ground, Psaki said.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday that while the Biden administration plans to continue to provide air support, there was not much else the US military could do.
We will certainly support from the air, where and when feasible, but that's no substitute for leadership on the ground, it's no substitute for political leadership in Kabul, it's no substitute for using the capabilities and capacity that we know they have, Kirby said.
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Delhi CM joins 'Shakti Walk' at Kartavya Path on International Women's Day
New Delhi (PTI): A "Shakti Walk" was organised at Kartavya Path here on Sunday to mark International Women's Day, with the Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta calling it a reflection of women's collective strength and their role in nation-building.
The event was also attended by Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi, Minister of State Anupriya Patel and Savitri Thakur, and National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, along with hundreds of women.
Speaking at the event, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the event reflected the spirit of women's empowerment and their role in nation-building.
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"Today, through this Kartavya Path, we are reminded that our responsibility is not only towards ourselves or our families but also towards society and the country," Gupta said while addressing participants.
Extending greetings on the occasion, she said the day was meant to honour women's strength and dignity.
"Today is truly a day that honours the power of women and enhances their dignity across the world and the country," she said.
Gupta said women in India were achieving new milestones across sectors.
"From startups to space missions, from teachers to doctors and engineers and in every major project, today India's women are leading. Today, women lead the armed forces, and they also lead society," she said.
"Today is a day for all of us to think ahead, to set goals and to determine our role in nation building. India will move forward under the leadership of women's power. The women of India will lead the country forward," Gupta said.
Union minister Annapurna Devi said women across the country were demonstrating their capabilities in every field and encouraged them to continue moving forward and achieving new milestones.
The event was organised to celebrate women's achievements and to encourage greater participation of women in leadership roles across society, officials said.
