Six neighbouring countries of Afghanistan – China, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan – earlier this week issued a joint statement requesting the Taliban to form an ‘inclusive government’ and not allow terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State (or Daesh) and al Qaeda to “gain foothold” in the vulnerable Central Asian country.

The statement was issued on Thursday, a day after the six neighbours held a virtual ministerial-level meeting, initiated by Pakistan, on Afghanistan – the first since the Taliban toppled the Ashraf Ghani government.

As per the statement, the countries urged the Taliban to assume moderate policies.

“The meeting stressed on the necessity to form an open, inclusive governmental structure, which practices moderate and sound internal and external policies; adopt friendly policies towards the neighbours of Afghanistan; achieve the shared goals of durable peace, security, safety and long-term prosperity; and respects the fundamental human rights, including those of ethnic groups, women and children,” TOLO News reported.

The countries requested the Taliban to not let any terror group operate from Afghan soil and also eradicate opium production in the country.

“Terrorist organisations, such as ISIS, al Qaeda, ETIM, TTP, BLA, Jondollah and others should not be allowed to maintain a foothold on Afghanistan’s territory,” the statement read.

Sayed Baqir Mohsini, a university lecturer, said that the Taliban “should show their willingness for a stable, secure and independent Afghanistan”.

“Otherwise, I think the world may not fully cooperate with the Taliban,” he said, according to news agency IANS.

The Taliban, meanwhile, assured that they are committed to working closely with the world and will never let anyone threaten world peace and regional countries.

“We agree that no one will be allowed to threaten any country from Afghanistan and the Taliban remain committed to this promise to the end,” a Taliban spokesperson Abdulhaq Emad said.