US Signs Peace Deal With Taliban Paving Way For Ending 18-Years-Long War In Afghanistan; India Also Present At Signing

The United States (US) on Saturday (29 February) signed a historic peace deal with the Taliban signalling a step towards ending the prolonged war being fought on the soil of Afghanistan, reports The Hindu.

The agreement would lead to the US and its allies pulling out their soldiers deployed in Afghanistan over the next 14 months, settling the dust on the 18-years-old war. However, it is also predicted that talks to come between the multiple Afghan sides will be far more complicated.

The deal was signed in Qatar by the US’ special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad who had been leading the negotiations and parlays with his counterparts from the Taliban. From the Taliban's end, the deal was signed by its political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

It should be noted that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had also flown to Qatar to be present at the time of the signing of the historic peace deal.

Meanwhile, India was also represented at the signing of the agreement by its Ambassador to Qatar in the capacity of an observer.