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No one should misuse terrorism, Singh tells world

No one should misuse terrorism, Singh tells world

author avatar
12 May 2011 - 21:23
No one should misuse terrorism, Singh tells world
author avatar
12 May 2011 - 21:23

KABUL): Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday asked the international community not to allow any country to use terrorism as a tool for their own benefits.

Without naming any country, Singh told a joint press conference with President Hamid Karzai that the world should not allow any country to take advantage of the global terrorism.

“There are some countries who use the terrorism for their own interests,” Singh, who arrived on a two-day official visit to Kabul on Thursday, told reporters.

The Indian leader said his country wished deep-rooted and multifaceted relations with Afghanistan has nothing to worry about the relationship between India and Afghanistan,” he said.

Singh also pledged an amount of $500 million for Afghanistan’s economic development and other sectors. The amount will be reaching Afghanistan over next few years, he said.

Meanwhile, a joint statement of President Karzai and Manmogan Singh said the two countries agreed to make efforts at reaching a strategic agreement in the near future.

Foreign ministers of the two countries would meet to discuss the establishment of a joint committee in this regard, the statement said.

It said the strategic agreement included security, law enforcement, war against terrorism, prevention of organised crimes and counter narcotics and others.

The statement made it clear that the proposed strategic partnership between Afghanistan and India would have no negative impact on a third country.

To a question about the death of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, Singh said he was surprised when he leant that Osama had been killed in Abboatabad. “I could not understand whether Pakistani forces were aware of his presence or not,” he said.

In his address, President Karzai stressed the need for enhanced cooperation among India, Pakistan and Afghanistan against terrorism.

“It is the time for the three countries to join hands against our common enemy,” Karzai said of terrorism.

He said terrorists had no friends or enemies; they killed people coming in their way.

The president said he discussed with the Indian premier and his delegation economic, political and social issues. He said they talked about improvement in cultural ties. He also thanked India for providing $1.5 billion (68.74 billion afghanis) in the last years.

Earlier in the day, Singh told Karzai that he strongly supports the country’s effort to reconcile with the Taliban.

“India is your neighbor and partner in development,” Singh told a gathering including President Hamid Karzai and senior officials in Kabul, the Afghan capital. “You can count on us as you build your society, economy and polity.”

Singh held talks with Karzai on regional stability, counterterrorism and the India-Afghanistan strategic partnership.

Afghanistanis becoming more reliant on regional allies like India as its international partners face increasing pressure to withdraw troops, especially after the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Karzai has argued that the best solution to Afghanistan’s long-running war against the Taliban insurgency is to convince the militants to reconcile with the government – a stance that has also gained more traction with the US and other international allies in recent years. Singh applauded this effort in his speech.

“We strongly support the Afghan people’s quest for peace and reconciliation,” Singh said. “India supports the unity, integrity and prosperity and Afghanistan.”

Indiahas spent $1.5 billion in Afghanistan to help build highways, hospitals and the electricity grid. It has also helped the Afghan government rebuild its police forces, judiciary and diplomatic services.

Singh last visited Afghanistan in 2005, but Karzai has been a frequent visitor to India.

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