Heart of Asia summit: Afghanistan prez wants intervention on Pakistan; 'no blame games'

Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani called for strong action against terrorists as well as those sheltering, financing and training them on Sunday, while speaking at the inauguration of the ongoing 6th ministerial Heart of Asia conference — Istanbul Process on Afghanistan’ in Amritsar.

While Modi didn’t name any specific country, Ghani categorically mentioned how Pakistan has been providing a safe haven to terrorists, and that it must be prevented.

Quoting a Taliban leader, Ghani said that terror networks like the Taliban movement wouldn’t have lasted a month had Pakistan not been offering a safe haven to terrorists. Ghani said that the response to fight against terror has been fragmented from states as some still “provide sanctuary, support and tolerate these networks”.

Calling for an intense dialogue and engagement, Ghani said, “I propose an Asian and international regime whatever is acceptable, particularly to our neighbour Pakistan to verify cross-frontier activities and terrorist operation. We do not want blame games. We want verification.” Ghani also informed that his government plans to use the $500 million funds that Pakistan has pledged to give Afghanistan for development to fight terrorism in the region. “We need to identify cross-border terrorism and a fund to combat terrorism,” he said.

Ghani also said that Afghanistan has been at the receiving end of terrorism for years now. “Afghanistan suffered the highest number of casualties last year. This is unacceptable,” Ghani said, “About 30 terrorist groups, as named by the UN, are trying to establish a base in Afghanistan,” Ghani said while speaking at the inauguration session of the Heart of Asia Summit.

Meanwhile, making an oblique reference to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged action against those who support and finance terror and endanger peace in the entire South Asian region. “We must demonstrate strong collective will to defeat terror networks. Support for peace alone is not enough. It must be backed by resolute action,” Modi said while addressing the delegates at the inaguration of the Heart of Asia Summit.

“Terrorism and externally induced instability pose the gravest threat to Afghanistan’s peace, stability and prosperity. And, the growing arc of terrorist violence endangers our entire region. As such, support for voices of peace in Afghanistan alone is not enough.

With Pakistan being represented at the two-day conference by its de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz, Modi said mere action against “forces of terrorism” was not enough and the world also needed to act against “those who support, shelter and finance them”, the PM said in an obvious reference to Pakistan.

Expressing India’s strong commitment to Afghanistan’s transition, Modi said, “On India’s part, our commitment to our brave Afghan brothers and sisters is absolute and unwavering. The welfare of Afghanistan and its people is close to our hearts and minds.”

Modi also called for Afghanistan-led, owned and controlled peace process for bringing peace and stability in the country.

The two leaders had earlier on Sunday held a bilateral meeting before the commencement of the conference. According to sources, CNN-News18 had reported that isolating Pakistan was one of the key agendas of the meeting. Modi and Ghani had also discussed an air connectivity corridor between India and Afghanistan. Pakistan had earlier rejected a road connectivity between the India and Afghanistan via the Wagah border. Even though Ghani had threatened to block Pakistan’s trade access to Central Asian States (CAS), for opposing it.

With inputs from Agencies