By IRNA,
New Delhi : India’s constructive role in Afghanistan has been deeply appreciated by the people of Afghanistan, as brought out by a number of recent opinion polls in that country, said S M Krishna Wednesday in New Delhi.
“Both the international community and the Government of Afghanistan have conveyed that they believe that India has an important role to play in Afghanistan. India remains committed to assisting the people and Government of Afghanistan as they build a peaceful, pluralistic, democratic and prosperous country” said India’s External Affairs Minister in a written reply in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament), said an official statement issued here today.
Krishna said that government closely monitors developments in Afghanistan. India has conveyed to its international partners, including the Government of Afghanistan, that any process of reintegration in Afghanistan should only include those individuals who abjure violence, have no links with terrorist groups, and are willing to accept the democratic and pluralistic values of the Afghan Constitution. The process should be Afghan-led, inclusive and transparent. External interference in the reintegration process would be detrimental both for its success and for the future of a democratic, stable, pluralistic and prosperous Afghanistan.
“Government has consistently raised with its international partners, including the Government of Afghanistan, the issue of existence of terrorist sanctuaries in the region which target India and other countries. The Communique issued after the Kabul Conference, which was co-chaired by President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, also referred to combating terrorism by ending support, sustenance and sanctuaries for terrorists”, he said.
India is committed to taking all necessary steps to safeguard the nation’s interests, Krishna added.