Washington: Noting that recent attacks on
Indians in Afghanistan were aimed at forcing India out of that
country, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao on Tuesday ruled out
scaling down New Delhi's operations in the war-torn nation.
"We are not scaling down our operations in
Afghanistan, we are taking all necessary security measures to
safeguard Indian lives there," she said in response to a
question at the Widrow Wilson Centre.
"The barbaric attack against Indians engaged in
humanitarian and development work in Afghanistan on February
26 was an attack by those who do not wish any other future for
that country except one that suits their sinister ambitions,"
Rao said in her speech.
"The international community should understand that such
attempts, if unchecked, will only embolden the same forces
that held sway in Afghanistan in the 1990s and caused the
tragedy of 9/11...We feel that it is vital for the
international community to stay the course in Afghanistan,"
she said.
Rao argued that there can be no distinction between a
good Taliban and a bad Taliban, which she observed would be
disastrous for Afghanistan.
"One cannot stress enough the need to avoid compromises
or differentiation between the so-called shades and hues of
the Taliban. That would be disastrous for Afghanistan and for
the world. In short, there is no quick solution to the Af-Pak
situation," she noted.
"India has, at the request of that country, worked on
infrastructure creation, and capacity building in key
developmental sectors, with a total investment of 1.3 billion
US dollars across several provinces and in very difficult
terrain," Rao said.
She said India's assistance is provided in a transparent
and fully accountable manner, and has underscored its
commitment to Afghan democracy and inclusive development.
"At the recent London Conference, we have announced new
initiatives in the agriculture sector and in institutional
capacity building. In all these areas we have responded to the
felt needs of the Afghan people," she said.
The Foreign Secretary noted that any reintegration
process should include only those who abjure violence, give up
armed struggle and terrorism and are willing to abide by the
values of democracy, pluralism and human rights.
"There is every risk, otherwise, that the Taliban could
resurrect themselves as they have done in the past even when
we think they have been defeated or we are rid of their
hardcore elements," the Foreign Secretary said.
‘Significant improvement in India-China relationship’
The relationship between
India and China has improved significantly in the last two
decades and the two neighbours are discussing ways to resolve
the border issues, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said today.
"The relationship between India and China has improved
significantly in the last two decades particularly. We have a
broad spectrum, multidimensional relationship that covers many
areas; which is not just focused on the boundary question,"
she said.
Resolution of the boundary dispute between the two
countries, she said, has not hindered the advancement of
dialogue, trade and business relations.
"The rise of China and the rise of India has become an
object of world attention. I think, in both the countries, we
see a competitive edge but we also see a greater degree of
collaboration between the two counties," Rao said.
"There is peace on our borders with China," the
Foreign Secretary said.
‘India opposed to any sanctions affecting people of Iran’
India today said it is
opposed to any sanctions on Iran that would have a direct
impact on the common people of the country and hoped the
issues between Tehran and the international community will be
resolved through dialogue.
"It continues to be our view that sanctions that
target Iranian people and cause difficulties to the ordinary
man, woman and child would not be conducive to a resolution of
this question," Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said.
She was delivering a lecture on 'Two Democracies --
Defining te Essence of India-US Partnership'.
Led by the US, international community the UN Security
Council in particular is now contemplating sanctions against
Iran; though it is not known what form those sanctions would
take place.
"We do not want more instability in that region. Iran
is very much a part of our region. Iran for instance has a
very important role to play in the developing situation in
Afghanistan and we of course have strong bilateral ties with
Iran," the Foreign Secretary said.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 09:19