Political settlement with Taliban has implications: BJP

Condemning external affairs minister SM Krishna's remarks that political settlement with Taliban was the solution in Afghanistan, BJP today said condoning the ideology of the group which encourages terrorism against India would have serious security implications.

"The agenda of Taliban is distinctly to destabilise India and for this purpose various terrorist groups operating within and carrying out attacks on our country get overt and covert support from them. Elements in Pakistani establishment, notably ISI, are one of the significant patrons of Taliban," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

He mentioned the alleged role of Taliban in the IC-814 plane hijack and reports of Taliban-trained terrorists being active in Kashmir.

Krishna had stated in an interview to Wall Street on the sidelines of the recent UN General Assembly in New York that NATO combat operations should give way to a political settlement with the Taliban in Afghanistan.
   
"Any recognition of the ideology of Taliban and settlement with them has serious security implications for India....the remarks of Krishna is not only disturbing but is also irresponsible which deserves to be condemned. He must explain what he means by dialogue and settlement with Taliban," Prasad said.

He accused Krishna of speaking out of turn and not doing "any proper homework" before doing so.