NEW DELHI, 11 April 2006 — India and Afghanistan yesterday called on their neighbor Pakistan to join hands in a regional effort to fight terrorism and promote economic cooperation. The appeal was made by visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a joint news conference after their talks on a wide range of issues.
“India has been a victim of terrorism for nearly 20 years. Both India and Afghanistan have suffered due to terrorism. Even Pakistan is not immune to terrorism,” Manmohan said.
The two leaders stressed the need for cooperation between India, Afghanistan and Pakistan to fight the “menace of terrorism” affecting the entire region. “I very much hope that all of us in this region will join hands to fight this menace.” Karzai said.
Asked about Pakistan’s alleged role in fueling terrorism in Afghanistan and in the region, Karzai replied: “Terrorism is affecting all countries in the region. It is affecting our brothers in Pakistan. We will find a more effective way to deal with this menace.”
With a vision of stable and prosperous South Asia, Manmohan said that Karzai could use his “good offices” with Pakistan to push for overland transit rights for Indians goods through its territory — a step that will connect South Asia to Central Asia and promote greater prosperity in the region.
To this, Karzai said: “The issue of transit between India, Pakistan and Afghanistan is extremely significant for the three countries. We hope a day will come when goods and people can move freely from India to Afghanistan and Central Asia through the overland route in Pakistan.”
Calling on Indian companies to invest in Afghanistan, the president said: “We will be very happy for Indian companies in Afghanistan to produce their goods and to have Afghanistan as a hub or launching pad for those products in Central Asia.”
The highlight of 90-minute talks held between Karzai and Manmohan was also India’s decision to extend additional aid for reconstruction of war-ravaged Afghanistan. Manmohan said: “I informed President Karzai that India will provide additional assistance of $50 million to Afghanistan. This amount will thereby raise the total assistance we have committed to $650 million. $200 million has already been spent on various projects.”
The prime minister also announced the signing of three memorandums of understanding, “for promoting cooperation in rural development, education exchange program and standardization.”
Karzai and Manmohan also discussed Afghanistan’s entry into the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Manmohan said: “It is a particular privilege for us that the first SAARC summit in which Afghanistan shall participate will be in India early next year. We have also agreed that India will host the second regional economic reconstruction conference for Afghanistan in New Delhi in November this year.”
The prime minister said that Karzai had assured him about the security of over 2,000 workers in Afghanistan. India’s role in reconstruction of Afghanistan will not be obstructed by threats, Manmohan asserted.
Karzai was earlier accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan. He was welcomed there by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in the presence of Manmohan and other members of the government.
At the joint news conference, Karzai expressed hope that his visit would prove helpful “for the two countries and hopefully the region.” “This visit to India would add to friendship and depth of relationship between the two countries.”
Karzai expressed his country’s gratitude for the help rendered by India in the reconstruction of Afghanistan over the past four years.
