India can play a Vital Role in Establishing Lasting Peace in Afghanistan: Dr. Abdullah Abdullah
New Delhi: Visiting Afghan leader and Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) of Afghanistan, H.E. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah delivered a Special Address on ‘The Future of Afghanistan’ at Manohar Parrikar IDSA on October 08, 2020.
Describing India as an important ‘strategic partner’ of Afghanistan, Dr. Abdullah thanked New Delhi for steadfastly supporting the government and the people of Afghanistan. India has shown support to the first direct engagement between the Afghan government and Taliban, while underlining its concerns about possible use of Afghan soil for violence against others. Urging India to play a greater role in the ongoing intra-Afghan talks, Dr. Abdullah said that India can play a vital role in establishing lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region.
Talking about the engagement between the Afghan government and Taliban, Dr. Abdullah expressed his commitment towards a peaceful settlement, stating that both sides need to get to a stage where they can reach an amicable solution through peaceful means and create a system that works for all sections of the society.
Dr. Abdullah, while speaking about the future of his war-torn nation, said that the people of Afghanistan, after years of ravaging war, can now see some light at the end of the tunnel. He expressed hope that they will come together to build a peaceful country, which is friends with the neighbourhod and beyond, and is able to contribute to peace and security in the region.
Earlier, in his Welcome Address, Director General, Amb. Sujan R. Chinoy said that an Afghanistan that is secure and at peace with itself is a factor for stability throughout the region. Recognising the aspiration of the Afghan people to achieve peace through mutual accommodation of goals and aspirations, he said that it was assuring to see that the regional and international community also stood ready to lend a helping hand in the process. India would respect the will of the people Afghanistan, whatever they chose for themselves, he averred.
Stating India’s position that the peace process must be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan controlled, Amb. Chinoy said that India firmly believes that Afghanistan has the right to forge its own destiny and realise its fullest potential. He also underlined India’s commitments as a major development partner in the continuing process of reconstruction, and said that so far, India has executed more than 400 projects across 34 provinces of Afghanistan.
Dr. Abdullah is on a five-day visit to India to seek support for the negotiations in Doha.
He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar on the visit.
During their meeting, Prime Minister Modi, in keeping with the government’s policy of Neighbourhood First, reaffirmed India’s long term commitment to further deepening the historical ties between India and Afghanistan. The two leaders discussed issues of bilateral and regional interest. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah briefed the Prime Minster on the Afghan peace process and the ongoing talks in Doha. Talks also focused on India’s development cooperation with Afghanistan.
Dr Abdullah Abdullah expressed his appreciation for Indian’s developmental commitment of US$ 3 billion, projects under which are benefiting Afghans across all of its 34 provinces. The Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment towards sustainable peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and welcomed efforts towards a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Afghanistan.
Dr Abdullah Abdullah’s meeting with Mr.A Doval on October 7 focused on the Afghan peace process and related issues, including increased levels of violence across Afghanistan and peace and security in the region.
