Why is it in news?
- American and Taliban officials have agreed to the framework of a peace deal.
More in news
- Framework of a peace deal: In it, the insurgents guarantee to prevent Afghanistan from being used by terrorists and in return U.S. will pull-out its troops for a ceasefire and Taliban talks with the Afghan government.
- Long efforts: After nine years of halting efforts to reach a peace deal with the Taliban, the draft framework, though preliminary, is the biggest tangible step toward ending the two-decade war.
- Appointment of Baradar: Taliban signalled its seriousness by appointing one of its most powerful officials from the original movement, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, as their chief peace negotiator.