Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the Minister has attended the Kabul conference held recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is a fact that huge interests of India in Afghanistan are at stake due to sudden change of Afghanistan’s policy;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether in the conference, India’s position could be successfully defended; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)

(a) & (b) External Affairs Minister attended the ‘Kabul International Conference on Afghanistan’ on July 20, 2010 in Kabul. The Conference was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations.

(c) to (f) India and Afghanistan share rich historical and civilisational ties and a vibrant development partnership. The Government of Afghanistan, at its highest levels, has emphasised the importance it attaches to bilateral relations with India, and reiterated its interest in further strengthening the relationship. The External Affairs Minister held constructive discussions with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan as well as Foreign Minister Zalmay Rassoul and National Security Adviser Rangin Dadfar Spanta during his visit to Kabul.

The Kabul Conference enabled India to reaffirm its strong support for and commitment to assisting the government and people of Afghanistan in their development and, for a peaceful, stable Afghanistan.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220116402.

Afghanistan

South Asia