| Date: 01/05/2012 Time: 02:05:00 PM |
India is committed towards building a prosperous
Afghanistan, said the country's Minister of External Affairs S.M. Krishna in
New Delhi on Tuesday after holding talks with his visiting counterpart Dr.
Zalmai Rassoul.
Rassoul is in New Delhi for a three-day official visit.
After the meeting, Krishna told media persons that the duo embarked on a
landmark step in bilateral relations by co-chairing the inaugural session of
the "India-Afghanistan Partnership Council."
"This event is also a reflection that India is unwavering in its commitment
to assisting the people of Afghanistan in their endeavour to build a peaceful,
stable, democratic and prosperous nation," he added.
He assured the visiting Afghan minister that India would continue all
possible help to Kabul. "We will continue our engagement in reconstruction and
rehabilitation projects in alignment with the Afghan National Development
Strategy. We will continue to partner the Afghan Government to ensure that
Afghanistan is a source of regional stability and does not become a target for
extremist forces," said the Indian Minister.
He added: "Our approach of high level political engagement and broad-based
development assistance in a wide range of sectors will not only continue but
is set to intensify under the framework of the Partnership Council."
Krishna also assured of taking steps in the direction of attracting foreign
investment in Afghanistan. "I have informed Foreign Minister Dr Zalmai Rassoul
of our intention to hold a meeting of regional investors on Afghanistan in New
Delhi. He has kindly welcomed this initiative," he said. |