I think there could be a political settlement. I think we should strive towards that.'

This remark was interpreted as a change in India's Afghan policy, advocating a more conciliatory approach towards the Taliban.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday flayed Krishna for his 'utterly irresponsible comments'.

'The most important question is about the objective of the Taliban itself, which stands as a gruesome reminder of torture, massacre, murder and brutal killing. Left to itself, it would go to any extent to dismember India,' said BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad.

'Yet, Krishna without realising the consequence has commented. He, in fact, has made it a habit to speak out of turn without any proper homework and at a great cost to our strategic interest,' he added.

--India-Asian News Service

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