By IRNA,
New Delhi : Agreeing that terrorism is main threat undermining peace and stability in region, India and Afghanistan Wednesday reiterated their resolve to effectively combating and defeating it.
In a joint statement issued by External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna and his Afghan counterpart Zalmai Rassoul, who is currently on a visit to India at the invitation of Krishna, the two leaders emphasised the need for ensuring that terrorist and extremist groups, targeting Afghanistan and other countries in the region, are denied safe havens and sanctuaries.
Sharing their vision of Afghanistan as a hub linking Central and South Asia through easier trade and transit links and people-to-people exchanges, the two leaders emphasized the strategic partnership between India and Afghanistan, based on symbiotic historical and cultural ties, and common interests and values.
India conveyed its desire to see a strong, stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan and reiterated its commitment to assisting Afghanistan in its development efforts in accordance with the wishes and priorities of the people of Afghanistan.
Both Ministers expressed their satisfaction at the frequent and substantive consultations between the two sides. They underlined the need for an early operationalization of the India-Afghanistan Partnership Council to widen and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
The Ministers reaffirmed the determination of the two governments to strengthen their rich, multi-dimensional and long-term strategic partnership, in the common interests of the people of the two countries and the region as a whole.
Earlier on Tuesday, Dr. Rassoul called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and discussed a range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Conveying his best wishes to President Hamid Karzai and other leaders of Afghanistan, Dr. Singh expressed India’s strong support for the government and people of Afghanistan in their endeavour to build a peaceful, prosperous and democratic nation, a press statement said.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister conveyed his country’s deep appreciation for the important and constructive role being played by India in the reconstruction and development of the country.
Meanwhile, Dr. Zalmai Rassoul also thanked India’s Minister of External Affairs for his participation in the Kabul International Conference on July 20, 2010.
The Indian Minister likewise congratulated Afghanistan on successfully hosting of that very important Conference, and expressed the support of the Government of India for the outcomes of the Kabul Conference.
Rassoul’s visit was part of the regular high-level interactions between the two sides, and reflects the importance given by both India and Afghanistan to their strategic and developmental partnership