External Affairs Minister Jaishankar holds talks with Qatari FM in Doha on Afghanistan developments
New Delhi, Aug 20: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held talks with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on the latest developments in Afghanistan as he stopped over in Qatar's capital Doha on his way back home from a four-day visit to the US.
Doha has been the venue for the intra-Afghan peace talks and Qatar has emerged as a crucial player in facilitating the Afghan peace process.
The Taliban's political leaders have been residing in the Gulf country for years.
"Met Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani @MBA_AlThani_DPM & FM Qatar during my stop over in Doha. Had useful exchange of views on Afghanistan," Jaishankar tweeted.
The talks came five days after Afghan capital Kabul fell to the Taliban after it swept across Afghanistan, seizing control of almost all key towns and cities in an over month-long offensive following the withdrawal of the US forces.
The Qatari foreign minister, who also holds the post of deputy prime minister, said the discussions included the recent developments in Afghanistan.
"Delighted to welcome again my colleague @DrSJaishankar, #India's Minister of External Affairs. Our discussion included ways of developing the historical relations between our two friendly nations, along with the recent developments in #Afghanistan," he said on Twitter.
On Tuesday, India completed the evacuation of all its diplomats and other staff members from Kabul under a difficult and complicated exercise, two days after the Taliban's takeover of the Afghan capital.
The mission to evacuate close to 200 people including the Indian envoy and other staffers in two military aircraft was accomplished with support from the US.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said the Taliban has been carrying out door-to-door searches of several embassies in Kabul and had gone to the Indian mission complex as well.
Jaishankar had made two stopovers at Doha in June during his visit to Kenya and Kuwait.
Qatar had also hosted talks between the Taliban and the United States.
Earlier this month, Qatari special envoy for conflict resolution Mutlaq bin Majed Al-Qahtani visited India during which he met Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and J P Singh, the Joint Secretary in the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Met Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani @MBA_AlThani_ DPM & FM Qatar during my stop over in Doha.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 20, 2021
Had useful exchange of views on Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/dDoWTCp4zz
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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.
ALSO READ: Achievements of India's 'Nari Shakti' a source of pride: PM Modi on Women's Day
"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.
