India to play greater role in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is India's tried, tested and traditional friend. From the point of view of culture and civilization, India and Afghanistan have been very closely attached since time immemorial. Afghanistan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani has held delegation level talks with Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj aimed at advancing 'India Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Council'in New Delhi and agreed to remain united in dealing with the challenges posed by cross border terrorism. Both India and Afghanistan are faced with the problems of cross border terrorism. The sanctuaries and safe havens are provided to terrorists against India and Afghanistan. They are provided all assistances to create mayhem in these two countries. Without naming Pakistan, both the countries hinted adequately about its involvement in aiding and abetting terrorism. Since the beginning, India has been playing an important role in rebuilding and reconstructing Afghanistan, which was devastated by the Taliban. Despite the loss of precious lives and property, India never retraced its steps from helping Afghanistan. Apart from being an old and close friend of India, Afghanistan is also very strategically important. Due to Afghanistan's strategic importance, it India's obligation to be present there with men and material to build and reconstruct it. India has been constantly helping the civilian govt. of Afghanistan in its fight against cross border terrorism. Pakistan never liked Afghanistan to be closer to India. But it is a matter of importance that Afghanistan always preferred India to Pakistan whenever the question before it arose to choose between the two. India's presence in Afghanistan and its deep involvement in rebuilding and reconstructing it have always been an eye-sore for Pakistan. So, the need of the hour for both the countries to remain united like a rock against the onslaught of terrorism. Even the entire world knows that most of the terrorists are reported to be found at the place where Afghans regularly visit. The time has come for India and Afghanistan to remain united against all odds placed in the way by Pakistan. Pakistan is a very notorious country and its ISI is always on look out to create mayhem to make the security affairs vulnerable. After the talks, four agreements were exchanged in areas like health and transport between Afghanistan and India. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has rightly said without naming Pakistan that India remains united in overcoming the challenges posed by cross border terrorism and safe havens and sanctuaries to both our countries. India supports national peace and reconciliation in an atmosphere free from violence and within the framework of Afghanistan’s Constitution.It has been and will continue to work with the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to build a secure, stable, peaceful, prosperous, united and inclusive nation. Ministry of External Affairs has said that both ministers jointly agreed to embark on a New Development Partnership in keeping with the priorities of Afghanistan and the main focus will continue on building governance and democratic institutions; human resource capacity and skill development. The visit of Afghanistan foreign minister to India assumes a greater importance that it is being undertaken in view of US President’s Donal Trump’s suggestion that India should play a bigger role in Afghanistan.