Afghan Taliban will have no issue if their fighters get training in India, says Afghan Defence Minister

Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, in a recent interview with the Indian media, maintained that the Afghan Taliban will have no issue if their fighters get training in India.

Now, this is a very significant and impactful tilt, which implies that the role of ideology, religion and national interest have been put on the back burner by the Taliban, and only self-interest and recognition is the prevailing factor.

Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob is the son of the Taliban’s founder, the late Mullah Muhammad Umar. Yaqoob had a key role in ensuring and strategizing a peaceful takeover of the Taliban last year.

Earlier this year, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, called on the Ulema of Afghanistan seeking their help in organizing and bringing reforms to the Afghanistan Army. Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob also advocated for the peace process with the US and establishing cordial bilateral ties with India.