Amid indications that China was keen on playing a greater role in Afghanistan after the drawdown of US-led NATO forces, the Taliban have said their delegation visited Beijing to explore possibility of a Chinese role in reaching a deal with the new Afghan Government.
Taliban on Tuesday confirmed that a delegation visited Beijing but said the purpose was not to seek China’s support for a possible patch-up with the new Afghan Government. They said the delegation talked about expanding relations with China and briefed Chinese officials about their policies.
“The Islamic Emirate is still firm on its previous stance and has not travelled to any country for it to act as a mediator for peace talks and neither has it responded positively to requests of mediation by the said country,” the Taliban said in a statement. “Taliban always had links with world, regional and especially neighbouring countries, carries out trips every now and then as needs arise and neighbouring China is also a country among this group,” it said. But, sources said the delegation visited the communist nation to explore possibility of a Chinese role in reaching a deal with the Afghan Government.