By Gazi Abbas Shahid

Copyright india

In a major blow to US President Donald Trumps plan to reclaim US control over the Bagram Airfield aka the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan the countrys ruling Taliban government has denied Washington request stating that while Kabul is ready for talks with all countries it will not allow the US to return to Bagram or re-establish any kind of military presence in the country.
Earlier Donald Trump had stated that his administration is working to reclaim Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan asserting that the facility was strategically important for the US because of its proximity to Chinas nuclear weapons production centers.
How Taliban snubbed Trump?
While the Taliban regime has not officially responded to Trumps comments about reclaiming the Bagram Airfield Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in a statement stated that no foreign military presence will be allowed in the Islamic Emirate. Not even an inch of Afghan soil is acceptable for foreign military presence. This message must reach President Trump and other countries. Engagement will only be political and economic Muttaqi said.
Zakir Jalaly head of the second political department of the Afghan Foreign Ministry echoed Muttaqis view saying Afghans have never accepted military presence throughout history. This was completely rejected in the Doha Agreement but the door to other forms of engagement remains open.
Experts have warned the US about any plans to use force to retake the Bagram Air Base noting that Afghanistan will respond in kind resulting in another major conflict. If there is room for understanding between countries negotiations can yield positive results. But if force is involved the Afghan nation is ready to respond said Afghan political analyst Sayed Muqaddam Amin according to Tolo News.
Why US wants control of Bagram Air Base?
The US who had used the Bagram Airfield as a military base for operations during its invasion of Afghanistan now wants to reclaim the base because it is located close to Chinas nuclear weapons production centers strategically important for Washington. Trump has asserted that the US was making efforts to reclaim the strategic base because of proximity to Chinas nuclear weapons manufacturing sites.
Were trying to get it back (Bagram Airbase) that could be a little breaking news. Were trying to get it back. Because they need things from us. We want that base back. But one of the reasons we want the base is as you know its an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons. So a lot of things are happening the US President said.
What did China say?
Meanwhile China has dismissed Trumps remarks stating that Afghanistans future must be left in the hands of the countrys own people and world powers should play a role in promoting peace and stability.
China respects Afghanistans independence sovereignty and territorial integrity. The future of Afghanistan should be in the hands of its people. We call on all parties to play a constructive role in regional peace and stability Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said adding that fueling confrontation in the region lacked public support.
Trumps remarks with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stating: China respects Afghanistans independence sovereignty and territorial integrity. The future of Afghanistan should be in the hands of its people. We call on all parties to play a constructive role in regional peace and stability. He added that fueling confrontation in the region lacked public support.
Notably Russia has issued multiple warnings about Western powers particularly the US making efforts to re-establish a military presence in Afghanistan.
(With inputs from agencies)