Describing the Bonn accord as a ''first important step'' towards setting up of a fully representative, broad-based government in Afghanistan, India on Thursday said that whatever processes are being negotiated should be ''Afghan-based''. Asked about the power-sharing accord reached between four Afghan factions, an external affairs ministry spokesperson said, ''We see this as a first important step towards the setting up of a fully representative, broad-based government in Afghanistan.” New Delhi ''sincerely hoped'' that this would lead to restoration of peace and lasting stability in Afghanistan, she said. India also hoped that the international community would remain engaged in the reconstruction process of the war-ravaged country. ''For long-term stability, we must keep in mind the fact that whatever processes are being negotiated and discussed should be Afghan-based,” she said.

Terming the accord as a ''positive development'' India's special envoy on Afghanistan S K Lambah, who represented India which was given observer status at the Afghan talks, reafffirmed India's commitment to help in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. He said that the positive factors of the Bonn process are that it should lead to a more broad-based government in Afghanistan, secondly this interim government has been decided by different Afghan factions in Bonn and thirdly, there will be reconstruction of the war-ravaged nation. Bureau Report