India congratulates Karzai

New Delhi, Nov 3 (PTI) India Tuesday congratulated Afghan
President Hamid Karzai on his re-election and said it was
committed to the process of Afghanistan's stabilisation,
reconstruction and development.
It also emphasised the need for the international
community to stand steadfast against the challenges posed by
the al-Qaeda and the Taliban, which threatens the stability of
Afghanistan and that of the world as a whole.
In a statement here, India's Ministry of External Affairs
said, "we congratulate President Karzai and look forward to
partnering Afghanistan as it continues the process of its
stabilisation, reconstruction and development."
Karzai was declared president for another five years
after the cancellation of a run-off ballot by the country's
election commission, which followed the withdrawal at the
weekend of his only challenger, Abdullah Abdullah.
The international community needs to reiterate its
long-term commitment to ensuring security and development in
Afghanistan, and to stand steadfast against the challenge
posed by the al-Qaeda and the Taliban, which threatens the
stability of Afghanistan and that of the world as a whole, it
said.
"India on its part stands fully committed to assisting
the Government and people of Afghanistan as they build a
pluralistic, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan," the
statement said. PTI