Speeches / Statements

Visit of Foreign Minister Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta of Afghanistan

28/07/2009

Joint Statement

1. At the invitation of Mr. S.M. Krishna, Minister of External Affairs, Republic of India, His Excellency, Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is currently on a visit to India.

2. During the visit, the Afghan Foreign Minister called on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and had meetings with the Minister of External Affairs and the National Security Advisor Mr. Narayanan on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest.

3. Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to President Hamid Karzai and other leaders of Afghanistan. He expressed India’s support for the aspiration of the Afghan people to build a peaceful, prosperous, democratic, and pluralistic nation. The Afghan Foreign Minister conveyed Afghanistan’s deep appreciation for India’s friendship, generous contribution and vital role in the processes of stabilisation, reconstruction and national development of Afghanistan. They expressed confidence that the forthcoming Afghan presidential and provincial elections would strengthen the democratic process in Afghanistan.

4. The two Ministers reaffirmed the abiding determination of the two governments to work for making South Asia an abode of peace, prosperity, moderation and cooperation. They highlighted terrorism as the most important security threat facing the region and reiterated their full resolve to combat it

5. The two Ministers underlined the strategic partnership between India and Afghanistan, based on enduring historical and cultural ties, and common interests and values. They expressed their satisfaction on the progress of bilateral development projects.

6. The Ministers decided to establish an India-Afghanistan Partnership Council composed of separate groups on political consultation, capacity development & education, power & water, culture, trade & industry, health, and agriculture. This will harness greater institutional support for the implementation of ongoing programmes and enlarge development cooperation between the two countries.

7. The Ministers reaffirmed the determination of their two governments to strengthen the forward-looking and long-term partnership between the two countries.

New Delhi
July 28, 2009