Editor's Pick: Tashkent talks

Despite the Taliban's rapid advances in Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani expressed confidence on Saturday in Tashkent that the Afghan national forces will prevail over the insurgents. The Taliban have been capturing districts, seizing key border crossings and encircling provincial capitals ever since the U.S. withdrew its troops 20 years after invading the country, leaving the Afghan national forces to fight the insurgents. Last week, during a clash between the Afghan forces and the Taliban at Spin Boldak district, which has a contentious border crossing with Pakistan, an Indian photojournalist, Danish Siddiqui, was killed while on duty. Ghani also said that the Afghan government will keep dialogue open with the Taliban in Doha, and with Pakistan. The Taliban agreed to intra-Afghan peace talks as part of the 2020 Doha Agreement, but the talks hit a deadlock. Following efforts made by Qatar and other countries to restart dialogue, an Afghan delegation has gone to Doha to hold high-level talks with the Taliban. Shortly before his interview, at the Central and South Asia Regional Connectivity Conference, Ghani accused Pakistan of failing to convince the Taliban to participate "seriously" in the peace talks and for not severing ties with terror groups. A few days earlier, Afghanistan Vice-President Amrullah Saleh had said that the Pakistan military had threatened missile launches against the Afghan Air Force if it targeted Taliban militia at Spin Boldak, a claim which was refuted by the Pakistan Foreign Ministry. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was disappointed by Ghani's allegations. Pakistan, he said, is going to be the most affected by the turmoil in the neighbouring country. Khan added that Pakistan has taken all action short of military action to get the Taliban to consider talks more seriously. Ghani also said that India has been a remarkable partner and hoped that India and Pakistan would reconcile their differences. Ghani's interview was exclusive to The Hindu and that is why it is the top pick of the day. The Hindu Explains Why has the RBI barred Mastercard from issuing new cards in India? Is Twitter acceding to takedown requests? Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor's Pick and more. Click here Try out The Hindu's daily news quiz Name the Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian photojournalist who was killed on Thursday in a clash between the Afghan special forces and Taliban attackers? 1. Danish Qadri 2. Danish Siddiqui 3. Danish Khan 4. Danish Malik To find out the answer and play the full quiz, click here [logo] Editor's Pick 18 JULY 2021 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( Tashkent talks [Tashkent talks] Despite the Taliban's rapid advances in Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani [expressed confidence on Saturday]( in Tashkent that the Afghan national forces will prevail over the insurgents. The Taliban have been capturing districts, seizing key border crossings and encircling provincial capitals ever [since the U.S. withdrew its troops]( 20 years after invading the country, leaving the Afghan national forces to fight the insurgents. Last week, during a clash between the Afghan forces and the Taliban at Spin Boldak district, which has a contentious border crossing with Pakistan, an Indian photojournalist, Danish Siddiqui, [was killed while on duty]( Ghani also said that the Afghan government will keep dialogue open with the Taliban in Doha, and with Pakistan. The Taliban agreed to intra-Afghan peace talks as part of the [2020 Doha Agreement]( but the talks hit a deadlock. Following [efforts made by Qatar]( other countries to restart dialogue, an Afghan delegation has gone to Doha to hold high-level talks with the Taliban. Shortly before his interview, at the Central and South Asia Regional Connectivity Conference, [Ghani accused Pakistan]( failing to convince the Taliban to participate "seriously" in the peace talks and for not severing ties with terror groups. A few days earlier, Afghanistan Vice-President Amrullah Saleh had said that the Pakistan military had threatened missile launches against the Afghan Air Force if it targeted Taliban militia at Spin Boldak, a claim which was refuted by the Pakistan Foreign Ministry. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was disappointed by Ghani's allegations. Pakistan, he said, is going to be the most affected by the turmoil in the neighbouring country. Khan added that Pakistan has taken all action short of military action to get the Taliban to consider talks more seriously. Ghani also said that India has been a remarkable partner and hoped that India and Pakistan would reconcile their differences. Ghani's interview was exclusive to The Hindu and that is why it is the top pick of the day. The Hindu Explains [Arrow][Why has the RBI barred Mastercard from issuing new cards in India?]( [Arrow][Is Twitter acceding to takedown requests?]( [underlineimg] Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor's Pick and more. [Click here]( [underlineimg] Try out The Hindu's daily news quiz Name the Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian photojournalist who was killed on Thursday in a clash between the Afghan special forces and Taliban attackers? 1. Danish Qadri 2. Danish Siddiqui 3. Danish Khan 4. 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