Swaraj Calls for International Support for a Peaceful Aghanistan

Sushma Swaraj has called for international support from Asian countries to establish peace in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani (L) with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj (R) in Islamabad, Pakistan on December 9, 2015. (Photo: Twitter.com/@MEAIndia)

Underlining that terrorism in Afghanistan has grown in both intensity and scope, India asked the international community to ensure that extremist forces do not find sanctuaries and safe havens in any “name, form or manifestation”.

Appealing to the Asian countries present at the Heart of Asia ministerial conference, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj asserted the need for international cooperation for lasting peace in war-ridden Afghanistan.

India has also offered to work with the Afghan government to strengthen its defence capability.

It is also the collective duty of all of us to ensure that the forces of terrorism and extremism do not find sanctuaries and safe havens in any name, form or manifestation. We, in Afghanistan’s proximity, have a particular responsibility in this regard.

<b>Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister</b>

Complimenting Afghan security forces and people of the country for countering forces of terrorism, she said India was ready to work with Afghanistan to strengthen its “defensive capability”.

In the last few months, terrorism in Afghanistan has grown in both intensity and scope. Terrorists have made concerted efforts to capture and hold territory, reminding us that they have not changed.

<b>Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister</b>

She said Afghanistan needs support of the international community to defend its unity and security.

We salute the Afghan National Security Forces and the Afghan people for countering the forces of terrorism and extremism with courage and resilience. They need the continued support of the international community to defend Afghanistan’s unity and security. For its part, India is ready to work with Afghanistan to strengthen its defensive capability.

<b>Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister</b>

Besides tackling terrorism and extremism, Swaraj also stressed on the need to adhere to internationally accepted redlines for lasting peace in Afghanistan.

(With inputs from PTI.)