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EAM’s intervention at the
meeting on New Silk Road in New York, September 22, 2011
September 22, 2011
At the outset, on behalf of the Government and people of India, I would
like to convey my deepest condolences on the tragic demise of Prof. Burhanuddin
Rabbani, Chairman of the High Peace Council and former President of Afghanistan
in a dastardly act of terrorism which we strongly condemn. It was not so long
ago, about two months back, in the month of July, that I had an opportunity to
receive Prof. Rabbani in Delhi and exchange views with him on his mission to
bring about peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
We welcome the initiative of the international community to support and
assist Afghanistan in building a self-reliant and sustainable economy, at a
time when the country seeks to take control of its own destiny. With the onset
of the drawdown of foreign security forces and the transition process, it is
all the more important for the international community, especially the regional
countries, to remain committed in this crucial phase, when Afghan national
institutions are still being developed and consolidated.
It is also important that Afghanistan’s growth strategy is built upon
the country’s comparative advantage of abundant natural resources and its
strategic geographical location. These would have to be the building blocks of
our vision for Afghanistan as a hub linking Central and South Asia through
pipelines, trade and transit routes for the common good of the people of our
region and the world. In our opinion, the New Silk Road initiative is an
important step in that direction and will receive our support.
We are already undertaking reconstruction and development activities in
Afghanistan, with our total bilateral assistance commitment reaching US $ 2
billion approximately. India has taken up projects in all parts of Afghanistan
and in a wide range of sectors, which have been identified by the Afghan
Government as priority areas.
We have laid special emphasis on capacity building and human resource
development, which in our opinion would form the basis for a robust and self
reliant economy. Indian companies have presented bid for the development of the
Hajigak iron ore reserves to the Afghan Government and India is participating
in the TAPI (Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India) gas pipeline
project. These are projects which would call for large investments and express
our resolve to cooperate with Afghanistan on plans involving regional
integration for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders. SAARC, of which
Afghanistan is a full member, is an important vehicle for regional economic
cooperation within the South Asian region. We have always considered
Afghanistan as a South Asian country with natural complementarities and
synergies with other countries of South Asia and one which is uniquely placed
to build bridges even beyond it. India’s rapidly growing economy and its large
market make it a natural destination for Afghan exports. Similarly, India can
be a cost effective and efficient source for Afghan imports. In this regard, we
welcome the operationalization of APTAA (Afghanistan Pakistan Trade and Transit
Agreement). This could serve as a start for trade and transit through the land
route for other countries including India.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had succinctly articulated his vision
for the region much before the idea of a New Silk Road initiative. I conclude
by reiterating what he so eloquently stated: “I dream of a day, while retaining
our respective identities, one can have breakfast in Amrtisar, lunch in Lahore,
and dinner in Kabul. That is how my forefathers lived. That is how I want our
grandchildren to live.” The time has come for all of us to start the process of
building a better future for the generations to come. [PIB Press Release].
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