NEW DELHI: Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday called for other countries to meet their international obligations to prevent terrorism originating from their territories, without specifically mentioning Pakistan.
However, in an apparent reference to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan said that countries needed to prevent acts of terrorism emanating from their soil.
A joint statement issued at the end of President Hamid Karzai’s 24-hour trip to New Delhi said the visit was symbolic, “to express Afghanistan’s solidarity with the government and people of India in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attack”.
“The leaders (Karzai and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh) called for the full compliance with bilateral, multilateral and international obligations of states to prevent terrorism in any manner originating from territories under their control,” the statement said.
Both countries have accused Pakistan of using terrorism as a state policy against them. Kabul has charged Islamabad with covertly supporting the Taleban. India also blamed the Pakistani intelligence for the July bombing at the Indian mission in Kabul that killed over 50 people.
India again underscored yesterday its determination to carry on with the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Karzai’s visit to India was to express Afghanistan’s solidarity with the Indian government and people in wake of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, a joint statement by the two leaders said.
Singh told Karzai that the Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul transmission line and the power sub-station at Chimtala in northern Afghanistan would be handed over shortly to Afghanistan, the statement said. The power deal is the second major infrastructure project in Afghanistan aided by India.
India will also gift Afghanistan 250,000 tons of wheat to enable it to tide over a food crunch. “The shipment will be effected immediately as soon as the government of Afghanistan has worked out its transportation arrangements,” the statement added.
India has pledged $1.2 billion for reconstruction work in war-hit Afghanistan.
Karzai was here on a “working visit” at the invitation of Singh. His visit was “symbolic, to express Afghanistan’s solidarity with the government and the people of India in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attack. The deplorable incident shows that terrorism is a threat to the entire community,” the statement said.
Karzai arrived here on Sunday evening on a two-day visit. On Karzai’s agenda, according to a statement from his office, was to express Afghanistan’s condolences and solidarity with India on the Mumbai case. Also on Karzai’s agenda were discussing ways to boost bilateral ties, “the latest situation in the region and fighting against terrorism,” the statement said.
India and Afghanistan also reviewed the progress in their recent ties, held as “robust, strategic partnership.” Singh and Karzai “expressed satisfaction at the progress in bilateral development and reconstruction projects in all parts of Afghanistan,” the joint statement said.
