India lobbying for US-Afghan peace

Indian Minister for External Affairs Salman Khurshid Friday said New Delhi was lobbying for U.S.-Afghanistan peace. "We talked to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai when he was in India. We held detailed discussions with the United States, we went to Saudi Arabia and we went to the United Kingdom in this connection," Khurshid told media in Srinagar. Khurshid Friday reached Srinagar on a two-day visit. He said the United States was not sure about peace and dialogue with the Taliban. NATO troops are likely to withdraw from Afghanistan next year. There are fears that its fallout will be felt beyond Afghan borders. "We talked to (the U.S. Secretary of State John) Kerry and he told us clearly that the United States believes no steps should be taken, which will be damaging to our (Indian) interests,"said Khurshid. "The talks with Taliban will stay within the red lines drawn for the purpose." According to Khurshid, Kerry told New Delhi that Taliban before entering into talks have to lay down arms and snap their ties with the Al-Qaeda.