NEW DELHI – India is refusing to hold direct talks with the Taliban at theMoscow summit over Afghanistan peace talks. Moscow has got representativesfrom Kabul and the militant group to initiate a dialogue.

India has restricted its participation to a “non-official level”, inkeeping with its Afghanistan policy. Over the years, several countriesaspiring to extend their influence in the region, have tried to court theTaliban, DNA has reported.

After the US and Nato burnt their fingers, China moved in, with reportssuggesting that a concrete push, brokered by Pakistan, has been initiatedby Beijing to engage with the Taliban.

Russia is now showcasing its return to the diplomatic forefront with anunprecedented peace conference.

India has always backed initiatives that are “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned andAfghan-controlled and with participation of the government of Afghanistan”.