Daily Times

AMRITSAR:  Completely ignoring Pakistan’s cooperation, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani adopted the tone of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Heart of Asia Conference today (Sunday).

Speaking at the 6th Heart of Asia ministerial conference in Indian city of Amritsar, Ghani refused to accept Pakistan’s 500 million dollar aid for Afghanistan development and said that they don’t need Pakistan’s help.“We need to identify cross-border terrorism and a fund to combat terrorism. Pakistan has pledged 500 million dollars for Afghanistan’s development, but we don’t need it.

“Use the amount to contain terrorism in your country,” he said. Ashraf Ghani said that Afghanistan faces severe security threats due to which there is a dire need to focus on durable peace and stability.“Heart of Asia is meeting at time of great opportunity in significant threats for Afghanistan for Asia-wide and global implications,” he said. “About 30 terrorist groups, as named by the UN, are trying to establish a base in Afghanistan. The country suffered the highest number of casualties last year. This is unacceptable,” Ghani emphasized. He highlighted the role of the projects and agreements signed among India, Iran and Afghanistan. “Trilateral agreement signed between India, Iran and Afghanistan is major step in transforming Afghanistan from land-lock country to a land-bridge state.

The project of Chabahar Port between the three countries is very important to us for connectivity,” he maintained. “India’s support to Afghanistan aimed at improving people’s life and is transparent with no strings attached. PM Modi, your words assure Afghan people of support of 1.25 billion Indian people. Your assistance will expand historic bond between the two nations,” added Ghani.

NARENDRA MODI’S REMARKS:

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Amritsar enforces the value of restoring connectivity which is so crucial for the overall growth and economic prosperity of Afghanistan.“Our words and actions remain focus on building, strengthening and securing Afghan’s territory and its citizens from external threats. Our gathering today re-affirms the commitment of the international community to durable peace & lasting stability in Afghanistan,” said Modi. Modi urged that all the countries should demonstrate strong collective will to defeat terrorism. “Silence and inaction against terrorism in Afghanistan and our region will only embolden terrorists and their masters,” he reiterated. “We also plan to connect Afghanistan with India through an air transport corridor,” he announced. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz is representing Pakistan in the two-day summit. Earlier, the Indian Prime Minister and Afghan President jointly inaugurated the conference, being attended by around 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries. Indian Foreign Minister (FM) Arun Jaitley welcomed the delegates at the summit. Leaders attending the summit also posed for a family photograph. The HoA initiative was launched in 2011 with the objective to boost economic and security cooperation. Its members included Afghanistan, Pakistan Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates. The Heart of Asia Process initiative has the support of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the United States.