Engagement With Taliban Is Best Way To Protect US Interests, Says US State Dept Spokesman

Vedant Patel, the US State Department Deputy Spokesperson, has said that the country engages with the Taliban when it favours the US interests.

He stated that engagement with the Taliban is not only the best way to protect US interests, but also a way to support the people of Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, during a press conference, Patel said that engaging with the Taliban provides an opportunity for direct dialogue with the group.

According to him, this engagement is an opportunity to continue pressure on the Taliban for the immediate and unconditional release of US citizens, including those "wrongfully" detained.

“We’ll also use those opportunities to directly talk about the Taliban’s commitments to counterterrorism, and of course, as always, human rights is also on the agenda,” he said.

While US officials and the United Nations have repeatedly emphasised on engagement with the Taliban, this approach has faced significant criticism from Afghan activists and politicians.

The Taliban has widely violated the rights of the Afghan people, especially women.