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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Dec 04, 2016, 02:57 PM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani jointly inaugurated the sixth Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference in Amritsar, on Sunday.
In a clear message to Pakistan, Modi called for "resolute action" not just against forces of terrorism but also against those who support, shelter, train and finance them, saying silence and inaction will only embolden terrorists and their masters.
In his address at the 6th conference of Heart of Asia, a platform to help Afghanistan in its transition, Modi said the growing arc of terrorist violence is posing the gravest threat to the region.
"Terrorism and externally induced instability pose the gravest threat to Afghanistan's peace, stability and prosperity. And, the growing arc of terrorist violence endangers our entire region. As such, support for voices of peace in Afghanistan alone is not enough.
Heart of Asia process was launched in 2011 from Istanbul. Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the event in Amritsar.
Expressing India's strong commitment to Afghanistan's transition, Modi said, "On India's part, our commitment to our brave Afghan brothers and sisters is absolute and unwavering. The welfare of Afghanistan and its people is close to our hearts and minds."
He also called for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process to bring stability to the country.
(With agency inputs)
o PM Modi addresses Heart of Asia conference
# It is an honour to speak at the sixth conference of Heart of Asia.
# Thanks Ashraf Ghani for accepting my invitation.
# It is also a great privilege for me to welcome all of you in Amritsar, a city blessed with simplicity, beauty & spirituality .
# Amritsar enforces the value of restoring connectivity which is so crucial for the overall growth and economic prosperity of Afghanistan.
# Our gathering today re-affirms the commitment of the international community to durable peace & lasting stability in Afghanistan.
# Our words and action remain focused on advancing a critical unfinished mission to help Afghanistan.
# We must protect and build on the gains of the last fifteen years and march ahead.
# Four key issues in supporting Afghanistan, beginning with an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned & Afghan-controlled process.
# Second, we must demonstrate strong collective will to defeat terror networks that cause bloodshed and spread fear.
# Third, our bilateral and regional commitments of material assistance for Afghanistan’s development needs must continue and increase.
# We must demonstrate strong collective will to defeat terrorism.
# We should all work to build stronger connectivity between Afghanistan and other countries in the region.
# We see Afghanistan as the hub connecting link between south Asia and Central Asia.
# Let us dedicate ourselves to making Afghanistan a geography of peace.
Ashraf Ghani at Heart of Asia Conference
# This is a relationship between world's largest democracy and a country committed to uphold democratic rights of people.
# The project of Chabahar Port between India, Afghanistan and Iran is very important to us for connectivity.
# Hear of Asia is meeting at time of great opportunity in significant threats for Afghanistan for Asia-wide & global implications.
# India's support to Afghanistan aimed at improving people's life and is transparent with no strings attached.
PM Modi and President Ashraf Ghani take a group picture before the inaugural event.
There is much to be done to tackle challenges like terrorism and radicalism: Salahuddin Rabbani, Afghan Foreign Minister
#WATCH Amritsar: PM Narendra Modi holds bilateral talks with Afghan President Dr.Ashraf Ghani #HeartofAsia pic.twitter.com/h10dZyNVyt
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 4, 2016
