The Hindu : Front Page : India, Afghanistan call for clampdown on terrorism

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Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009
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India, Afghanistan call for clampdown on terrorism

Sandeep Dikshit

Afghan President Hamid Karzai visits India to express solidarity

Photo: V.V. Krishnan

FIRM SUPPORT: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday before a meeting to discuss the security situation in the region. —

NEW DELHI: India and Afghanistan, both victims of cross-border terrorism, without naming Pakistan called upon States to prevent terrorism in any manner originating from their territories.

A joint statement after a meeting here on Monday between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai pointed out that it was necessary for countries to look after their backyards since “terrorism emanates from the sanctuaries and training camps and the sustenance and support received by the terrorist groups.”

The Ministry of External Affairs here described Mr. Karzai’s visit, the second in less than six months, as symbolic to express Afghanistan’s solidarity in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks. Shortly before the visit, a senior Afghanistan official complained there was little response from Islamabad even though they had “piles of evidence” about Pakistani involvement in several terror attacks in his country.

The leaders called for the “full compliance with bilateral, multilateral and international obligations of States to prevent terrorism in any manner originating from territories under their control.”

While reviewing their partnership, the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress in bilateral development and reconstruction projects in all parts of Afghanistan. With the completion of the road from Zaranj to Delaram in south-western Afghanistan, Dr. Singh informed the Afghan President that a second major infrastructure project, the Pul-e-Khumri-Kabul transmission line and the sub-station at Chimtala in northern Afghanistan will be handed over shortly to the government. The leaders expressed their satisfaction that the construction of the Afghan Parliament, “a symbol of the common commitment of both countries to pluralism and democracy,” had also begun. Dr. Singh announced that India would gift 2,50,000 metric tonnes of wheat. The shipment will be made as soon as Afghanistan worked out its transportation arrangements.

Mr. Karzai invited Dr. Singh for a visit to Afghanistan. The invitation was accepted and the dates will be finalised through diplomatic channels.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband will arrive here on Tuesday, also as a mark of solidarity with India. His visit follows that by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. In Mumbai, Mr. Miliband will address meetings at Hotel Taj Mahal and Hotel Trident, both sites of the terror attacks.

In the capital, he will meet External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and could call on Dr. Singh to discuss the other items on his agenda, including security issues and climate change.

Britain has held that Islamabad must set its house in order, especially because a majority of serious terrorist plots probed by British security agencies were traced to sanctuaries in Pakistan.

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