By IANS,
New Delhi: Describing India as the “stability anchor” for the South Asian region, Germany Thursday said the international community needs “more” of this country and welcomed New Delhi’s suggestion of a Marshall Plan-like arrangement at the recent Bonn conference on future of Afghanistan post-2014 when NATO-led security forces begin their withdrawal.
German Charge d’Affaires Cord Meier-Klodt told reporters here on the sidelines of a Graffiti Art event at his embassy that India’s Marshall Plan suggestion had “given the right signal” to the people of Afghanistan that the international community “stands” by them.
“My perception is: Do we need less India or more India? We need more India for stability. India is a stability anchor in so many fields and we are delighted that it made this clear in this way in the Bonn conference,” Meier-Klodt said when asked about how Germany perceived India’s contribution and participation at the international meet held last week.
“Yes, that’s absolutely along the plans that I outlined. Marshall Plan was designed for Germany after the World War II. I think it gives exactly the right signal. This is what we are talking about…we want to build up society in the political and also in the broader field of economic and social development,” he said, when asked about New Delhi’s suggestion at the Bonn conference on the future of Afghanistan.
The Marshal Plan was devised by the US post-World War II to provide monetary support to help Europe rebuild its economies and to combat the spread of Soviet communism.
Meier-Klodt said Germany was “very glad” that there was a clear message from the conference that “we will stand by the people of Afghanistan” beyond 2014.
He said there will be “no repetition of 1989”. In 1989, a civil war broke out in Afghanistan after then Soviet Union withdrew from the country, leaving the then Communist Afghan government to fend for itself the onslaught of the mujahideen.
“That was a clear signal from all participants. Let me point out that the contribution of India, presented by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, was very strong and very much appreciated. So Germany, India and the whole of the international community stands by Afghanistan and committed themselves,” he said.
He noted th at that Afghanistan’s was more “a political problem” than a military one, as stability of the nation and the region was at stake.
“Afghans themselves, it must be pointed out, also committed themselves. They will increase their efforts in the field of democracy and open society and will fight against corruption,” he added.
On Pakistan keeping away from the Bonn event in protest aggainst the Nov 26 NATO strike that killed two dozen of its troops, Meier-Klodt said: “I will not lie to you…we were disappointed that Pakistan did not participate. We did understand the reasons and we tried out best to convince them to participate. They did not.”
“Does that mean that they are no longer part of the solution? Of course not. We have already, of course, informed the outcome (of Bonn meet). We have very close relations with Pakistan and there is no doubt whatsoever that Pakistan is one of the many players for any solution in the area, despite they not participating in the conference. That does not change the design of this issue,” he added.
On Russia being against the presence of any foreign forces in Afghanistan beyond 2014, Meier-Klodt said it was “logical” that presence would be “phased out” in the course of Afghan people being able to handle the issues themselves. However, “there will be support” given to Afghanistan beyond 2014 too, he added.