The Hindu : International : Karzai satisfied over growing economic ties with Pakistan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 17, 2006

International

International

Karzai satisfied over growing economic ties with Pakistan

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Kabul not to allow hostile activities against neighbour Visit of Mr. Karzai assumes importance in view of the forthcoming visit of U.S. President to the sub-continent

ISLAMABAD: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has assured that his country would not allow its soil to be used against Pakistan.

Currently on a bilateral visit to discuss issues related to coordination in the fight against Al-Qaeda and Taliban Mr. Karzai told reporters on Wednesday night after a meeting with Pakistan President, Perez Musharraf that Pakistan has nothing to be concerned about activities in his country.

The Afghan President was responding to a question on reports of Indian involvement in troubles in Balochistan through its consulate offices in Afghanistan. "I assure that our relations with India in no way, no way, no way will impact our ties with Pakistan...We are joined together like twins, inseparable nothing can come between us," he said.

Visit of Mr. Karzai at the current juncture assumes importance in view of the forthcoming visit of U.S. President, George W. Bush to the sub-continent in the first week of March and the growing power of Al-Qaeda and Taliban on the borders of Pakistan as well as Afghanistan.

The two leaders exchanged views in a one to one meeting for over two hours before they were joined by their respective delegations for formal talks that discussed a host of issues ranging from bilateral regional to international matters of mutual concern.

Talks fruitful

Describing their talks as "fruitful", the two sides vowed to enhance their political and economic ties and maintain close cooperation in the anti-terror efforts. On terrorism, Gen. Musharraf said that both Pakistan and Afghanistan were part of the international coalition and jointly fighting the menace.

"It is a joint fight by Pakistan and Afghanistan as the evil is afflicting both the countries," he added. Gen. Musharraf underlined the need of intensifying cooperation between the military and intelligence agencies of the two countries to jointly fight and uproot the menace of terrorism. Pakistan looked forward to all cooperation to fight terrorism in their respective areas, he said while adding that both Pakistan and Afghanistan must progress together.

Responding to a question, Gen. Musharraf said that Pakistan has deployed 82,000 troops on its border with Afghanistan. About 600 soldiers have laid down their lives, he said and added it was the biggest contribution made by any nation in the fight against terrorism.

The Afghan President said it was for both Pakistan and Afghanistan to fight terrorism jointly to remove the evil from the region and from the world.

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