• Source:JND
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The Taliban on Sunday turned down President Donald Trump's attempt to regain control of the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, calling on the United States to have "a policy of realism and rationality." The remark emphasies the Taliban's call for Afghanistan's independence and sovereignty.

"It has been repeatedly conveyed to the United States in all of its bilateral talks that, for the Islamic Emirate, Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity are the most important," Taliban deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said in a formal statement on social media platform X.

Trump's Renewed Call For Bagram

Trump, however, repeated his demand for restoring a US footprint at Bagram on Saturday, stating that talks with Afghan officials were ongoing. He refused to elaborate on these talks. When queried as to whether he would use US forces to take back the base, Trump refused to comment.

We're not going to discuss that," Trump replied. "We want it back, and we want it back immediately. If they don't do it, you're going to see what I'm going to do." In the course of the press conference, Trump also pointed to the strategic location of the base, saying, "One of the reasons we'd like to have that base is, as you understand, it's one hour from where China produces its nuclear weapons. So a lot of things are taking place.

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Taliban Reaction

On Sunday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid firmly rejected Trump's accusations, once more stating that the US must accept the sovereignty of Afghanistan. "It should be kept in mind that, according to the Doha Agreement, the United States has made a commitment that it will not use or threaten to use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Afghanistan or in any manner interfere in its internal affairs," Mujahid said.

He insisted that the US should stay loyal to its promises, further asserting that the Taliban desires positive relations with all states on the basis of shared and common interests. Mujahid declined to say whether or not the Taliban was engaged in recent talks with the Trump administration about Bagram and the grounds on which Trump holds the view that America could retake the base.

Historical Context Of Bagram

Bagram Air Base, the biggest US base in Afghanistan, was instrumental to the US-Afghanistan war, the longest war in US history. The base was abandoned in 2021 when the Biden administration withdrew troops from Afghanistan.

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The Taliban statement itself emphasised its respect for the sovereignty of Afghanistan and cautioned that the US will be required to honor past commitments. "It is necessary that they remain faithful to their commitments," the statement continued, asserting the abiding priority of Afghan independence and territorial integrity in the bilateral relationship.