India warns against hurry in troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

INDIA-AFGHAN
From Yoshita Singh
United Nations (PTI) - Expressing concern over the
deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, India Friday
warned against any "hurry" in withdrawing troops from the
country, saying such a move should be done keeping in mind
the ground realities and not just to meet any deadline.
"For peace, stability and security in Afghanistan,
it is imperative that the ongoing transition must be linked to
the ground realities rather than rigid timetables. This, the
international community in its hurry to withdraw from a combat
role in Afghanistan, will ignore at its own peril," India's
Permanent Representative to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri said.
Pointing out that extremist groups continue to attack
high-security targets and assassinate important political
figures such as former president Burhanudin Rabbani, Puri said
gains on the security front cannot be consolidated unless the
international community is able to firmly deal with safe
havens for terrorist groups outside Afghanistan's borders.
He said the "syndicate of terrorism" including Al Qaeda,
LeT and other extremist groups operating from within and
outside Afghan borders must be rooted out for stability in the
country.
"For security and stabilisation of Afghanistan, it
is important to isolate and root out the syndicate of
terrorism which includes elements of the Al Qaida, Taliban,
Laskar-e-Taiba and other terrorist and extremist groups
operating from within and outside Afghanistan's borders," Puri
said.
It must be accompanied by an inclusive political
process and intra-Afghan dialogue" which includes renunciation
of violence, cutting of ties to terrorist groups and
protections of human rights, including the rights of women,
Puri said.
India's two billion dollar assistance to Afghanistan
spans a plethora of economic and social development
activities.
Indian companies have expressed interest in tapping
into Afghanistan's iron ore reserves and India is also
participating in the TAPI (Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan
and India) gas pipeline project.
"We have always considered Afghanistan as a South
Asian country with natural complementarities and synergies
with other countries of South Asia and one which is uniquely
placed to build bridges even beyond it.
"India's rapidly growing economy and its large market
make it a natural destination for Afghan exports."
At the same time, India can also be a cost effective
and efficient source of Afghan imports, Puri said.
Addressing the meeting, US envoy to the UN Susan
Rice said even as the security situation in Afghanistan
continues to present challenges, "our goal remains to shift
gradually to a supporting role."
She said Rabbani's tragic assassination has only
strengthened US' resolve to work in support of the Afghan
government, end the insurgency and pursue justice against
those who fund, direct and carry out violence.
UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and
head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan Staffan de
Mistura stressed the need to seize the window of opportunity
for dialogue and reconciliation that exists, despite the
recent killing of Rabbani.
"There is no alternative to a political solution...The
priority must continue to be a dialogue among Afghans
themselves, led by them, with non-Afghans like all of
us playing a supportive role."

INDIA-AFGHAN 3LAST
Afghanistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Zalmai
Rassoul told the meeting that despite efforts to stabilise the
country, Afghans still suffer from an endless campaign of
terror carried out by Afghanistan's enemies.
"To help end the conflict, and meet the demands and
aspirations of the Afghan people for a durable, dignified and
inclusive peace, we will work to bring back to social,
economic and political life all members of the armed
opposition willing to renounce violence, sever ties with
terrorist groups, and accept our constitution," he said.
As Afghanistan moves towards the 2014 transition,
nations have to get together to create an environment that
attracts private-sector investment in the country, Rice said.
In this context, Afghan-led venture 'New Silk Road'
will help the country and its neighbours to maximize the value
of their natural resources, build human capacity, create jobs,
generate revenue to pay for needed services, and capitalize on
the region's economic potential, Rice said.
"The New Silk Road initiative will reinforce the search
for diplomatic solutions to end the war in Afghanistan," she
said.
Puri said India too supports the New Silk Road
initiative, which will be an important step for the economic
development of Afghanistan.