Kabul meet: India to back any move for peace in Afghanistan

New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) Amid Afghan government's efforts
to bring Taliban elements into the mainstream, the upcoming
Kabul conference is expected to see India expressing support
for any reintegration move that leads to "genuine peace" in
that country besides committing help in capacity building.
India's External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, who will
attend the conference of about 50 countries on July 20, is
expected to underline India's commitment to providing whatever
help Afghanistan wants for its capacity-building.
Krishna is expected to convey India's support to Karzai
government's efforts for reintegration of Taliban elements if
that leads to "genuine peace", sources said.
India does not see anything wrong if individual Taliban
cadres are rehabilitated after they give up violence, end
physical and ideological links with terror, vow to abide by
the Afghan Constitution and commit to respect human rights,
including women's rights.
However, any reconciliation with Taliban as a group or
entity is seen by India as dangerous.
The Kabul conference is taking place at a time when the
Karzai government is working on a Peace and Reconciliation
scheme aimed at bringing Taliban elements into the mainstream.
Under the scheme, foot soldiers or low and middle-level
fighters of Taliban are to be attracted with promises of jobs,
vocational training and education.
Krishna is also expected to emphasise that India will be
forthcoming in providing whatever help Afghanistan wants for
building of public institutions and other capacities, the
sources said.
India is of the view that the Afghan people, instead of
foreigners, should be determining their fate.
In this regard, building of capacities of Afghan people
in various sectors will be the key.
During Karzai's visit here in April, Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh had emphasised that close cooperation
between the two countries was in the interest of their people
and peace and stability in the region and beyond.
He had told Karzai about India's commitment to augment
its assistance for capacity building and for skill and human
resources development to help strengthen public institutions
there.
The Kabul conference will be attended among others by UN
Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton.
The meet, being held at a time when the situation in
Afghanistan is precarious, is expected to focus on
deliverables of the Karzai government in terms of its
reintegration moves. PTI AKK
RDM