New Delhi: Describing his country as "perhaps more South Asian than Central Asian," Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday said a "tripolar structure of cooperation" among Kabul, New Delhi and Islamabad would bring progress and economic betterment to the region faster than what was possible if each went its own way.

"We should not treat this question politically, rather it is a question of all of us as human beings," he told a breakfast meeting with editors here. He was prepared to do anything to realise his vision of closer cooperation among the three neighbours.

"We have to start with practical issues and the best way to begin closer cooperation is with transit trade and cultural exchanges," Mr. Karzai suggested. He said Pakistan had shown some flexibility, allowing Afghan overland exports to India.

Asked about Pakistan's response to the demand for transit rights for Indian exports, Mr. Karzai expressed the hope that the two countries would not allow the Kashmir problem to come in their way of finding "other areas of cooperation."

Musharraf, a friend

Mr. Karzai fielded questions on a wide range of issues: from poppy cultivation and his country's relations with Pakistan to the recent controversy surrounding the imposition of death sentence on Abdur Rahman, an Afghan citizen who had converted from Islam to Christianity.

Seeking to put behind him his recent bitter exchange of words with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf over Islamabad's handling of the anti-Taliban campaign, Mr. Karzai said he had a very close relationship with him.

"We are friends," he said, "and between friends, there are times when frank words are expressed, and that is all right."

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