India today stressed the need to avoid the return of "fundamentalist and extremist groups" as deepening of "Afghan conundrum" could have a "deleterious impact on our two countries."
Seeking to make a common cause with Iran in dealing with Afghan situation, India today stressed the need to avoid the return of "fundamentalist and extremist groups" as deepening of "Afghan conundrum" could have a "deleterious impact on our two countries."
Describing regional stability as an area where interests converge and potential for cooperation was the greatest between the two countries, foreign secretary Nirupama Rao said "We are both neighbours of Afghanistan and Pakistan and have both long suffered from the threat of transnational terrorism emanating from beyond our borders."
"Neither of our countries wish to see the prospect of fundamentalist and extremist groups once again suppressing the
aspirations of the Afghan people and forcing Afghanistan back
to being a training ground and sanctuary for terrorist groups.
"We need to move beyond mere articulation of positions as the Afghan conundrum deepens and could have a deleterious impact on our two countries and the region in case the forces of extremism and obscurantism are made arbiters of the fate of
the Afghan people," She said.
Delivering an address at 'IDSA-IPIS Strategic Dialogue on
India and Iran: an enduring relationship', Rao said the
cooperation and information sharing on counter-terrorism must
be the subject of more intensive focus and attention in the
future between the countries.
She reiterated the need for structured, systematic and regular consultations with Iran on Afghanistan situation.
In this context, she also underlined the importance of building upon the progress already made on joint cooperation projects between India and Iran in the region, and put in place mechanisms for carrying forward the cooperation in these
areas, including the Chabahar Port Project.
She emphasised on the need for accelerating the joint efforts to fully realise the potential of the port as well as the associated railway project.
"These are projects that are in the common interest of India, Iran and Afghanistan, but also the countries of Central Asia. Improving the connectivity of Chabahar Port to the Zaranj-Delaram Highway, which was built with Indian assistance despite terrorist threats and with the sacrifice of Indian and Afghan lives, will open up the Indian market to Afghan agricultural and other exports.
"It will also help in combating the scourge of illicit drugs production and export which has affected Iran more than any other country, and assist the trade, transport and transit network of Iran," the Foreign secretary said.
Referring to the upcoming bilateral Joint Commission meeting between the two countries here on July 8-9, Rao said India looks forward to these discussions and the follow up meetings to instill fresh momentum in relations, particularly in the strategic areas that have been identified above.
External affairs minister SM Krishna and Iranian minister for economic affairs and finance Shamsuddin Husseini will lead India and Iran delegations respectively in the meeting.
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