New Delhi: When the Taliban appeared to announce Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the Face of Public Group for the past three years as their leader, India hopes his recent experience as head of international negotiators with the US and head coverage with other major power will affect the approach to policy which affects India.
According to a report, Sher Mohammed Stanekzai and Sirajuddin Haqqani can also be given a position of power in a new government while Baradar seems to set a major role.
Born in 1968 in Uruzgan Province, Baradar was Durrani Pashtun from the Popalzai tribe, sharing tribal loyalty with former Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
As one of the few leaders who were close to Mullah Omar, Baradar served as Deputy Minister of Taliban Defense during the 1996-2001 regime.
After the 2001 US invasion, Baradar escaped to Pakistan, where he organized military resistance to US jobs in Afghanistan, became the head of Rahbari Shura, who was responsible for operational decisions.
But in 2010, Pakistan arrested him and threw it in prison for the next eight years, because Islamabad suspected him to sew the agreement with Karzai and the US.
According to reports, Baradar and other Taliban leaders such as Mullah Abdul Rauf Aliza and Mullah Ahmed Jan Akhundzada, were reported to be part of a more moderate force in the Taliban.
From 2018, when the US persuaded Pakistan to let him go and start negotiations for the peace agreement, Baradar was at the forefront of negotiations, but this time with Pakistani blessings.
India will also hope he will not forget how hosts turn it on and consider the need to balance the equation.
As the leader of version 2021 from the Taliban government, Will Baradar led the “independent” decision making or would he continue to look up his shoulder against Islamabad not quite clear.
The Taliban has played all sides in their statement lately – comparing a moderate approach to sharia compliance; Reaching India while promising to continue to take the purpose of “Muslims” including Kashmir, while also saying this will not involve support for violence.