NEW DELHI: Reaffirming its commitment for a stable Afghanistan, India has said it will continue to strongly support the war-torn country in its rebuilding and transformation and sought “concrete” measures for increasing participation by Indian businessmen in diverse trade areas there.
Addressing a conference on Afghanistan, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said India has “greatest confidence” in Afghanistan’s potential and it will have an “open arm approach” in extending all help and cooperation to that country.
“When you suffer, we also suffer with you. When you rejoice, we also rejoice,” he said, adding, “We stand by you and promise you our constant support.”
“We in India have no exit policy. We are not going anywhere unless you want us to go. As long as you want us to be there, we will be there,” the External Affairs Minister said.
India has been engaged in various infrastructure development projects in Afghanistan.
Seeking better opportunities for Indian businessmen there, he said “concrete steps” are needed to be taken so that they see the “enormous potential” in that country.
Talking about the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project, Khurshid said he was hopeful about it.
Observing that there is huge scope for increasing trade among Afghanistan, India and Iran by enhancing connectivity, he said the entire region was going through some sort of transformation.
Hoping that the democratic process in that country will be successful, he said destinies of both the nations are interlinked and emergence of a stable Afghanistan will help the entire region.
A paper on doing business with Afghanistan was also released on the occasion by Khurshid.
Addressing the gathering, Afghan Finance Minister Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal highlighted his country’s transformation process and said withdrawal of NATO forces next year will not impact its stability.
He appreciated India’s role in reconstruction of the country and sought all cooperation in future as well.
On apprehension about capability of Afghan security forces post withdrawal of NATO forces, he said they are fully geared to take the challenge and there was no reason to worry.
He said the law and order situation has improved in some areas from where NATO forces have shifted their operation and Afghan security personnel have taken control.
Inviting Indian buninessmen to explore vast potential in the country, Zakhilwal assured them of all possible help in diverse sectors.
“We will not subject you to all laws and regulations,” he said.
The Afghan Finance Minister said people of Afghanistan are working hard to build a prosperous country. Afghanistan will not go “backwards” and there will be strong resistance if such an attempt was made, he said.
“The people of Afghanistan will not allow the country to go backwards. They will resist. Afghanistan is witnessing major transformation,” he said.
He said elections in the country will be held in time and all parties will accept the result of the polls.
Zakhilwal said the country will require reforms in diverse areas as it moves forward.
An MoU was also signed between FICCI and Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry to facilitate cooperation in various areas.–PTI
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