Afghan Army Chief Postpones Visit to India Amid Increased Taliban Offensive

General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai's three-day India visit was expected to deepen bilateral military ties.

Amid the escalating Taliban onslaught in Afghanistan, Afghan Army Chief General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, scheduled to travel to India on Tuesday, postponed his visit as per senior Afghan officials on Monday, 26 July.

(Photo: File Photo)

Amid the escalating Taliban onslaught in Afghanistan, Afghan Army Chief General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, scheduled to travel to India on Tuesday, postponed his visit, senior Afghan officials said on Monday, 26 July.

"The visit by our Army Chief has been postponed due to the intensity of the war and Taliban's increased assault and offensive," the Afghan embassy official stated, news agency PTI reported.

The General's three-day visit was going to be aimed at deepening bilateral military ties, following the withdrawal of US troops after over 20 years of US' invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

Further, General Ahmadzai was also scheduled to hold comprehensive talks with highest level of Indian military officials, including his counterpart General MM Naravane and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, PTI reported.

President Ashraf Ghani had appointed General Ahmadzai as the new Chief of Army staff last month.

What is Happening in Afghanistan?

Almost 20 years after the US' invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 to overthrow the Taliban from power in the country, the US is now looking to withdraw the American troops from the nation by the end of August.

Representatives of the Afghanistan government and Taliban are engaged in negotiations over the militant organisation's increasing control over the country.

However, the dialogue has been largely unsuccessful, with the Taliban seeking complete military dominance over the country, as per reports.

The escalating conflict situation in the country has resulted in the deaths of as many as 4,000 people, as well as the internal displacement of over 2 lakh citizens of the country. Almost one-third of the country is actively involved in the fighting.

In the backdrop of increased violence and Taliban seeking dominance in the nation, Afghanistan has been extending a hand towards its key allies, including India, for support to enhance its defence forces.

India and Afghanistan are involved in the Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process and has invested around USD 3 billion in aid and reconstruction activities across the country.

(With inputs from PTI)