Terror provides no answers to peoples' problems: PM

From Priyanka Tikoo
Kabul, May 13 (PTI) Denouncing terrorism and
extremism, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said
such ideologies provide no answers to problems of the people
and their flames should not be allowed to be fanned once
again.
Addressing the Afghan Parliament, Singh said the
aspirations of the region for growth and prosperity cannot be
realised unless there is peace and tranquility that would
allow people to live and work in honour and dignity.
"The people of this region have lived together for
centuries. This is our region and we have to survive together
and flourish together," Singh said as he wound up his two-day
visit to Afghanistan.
Referring to the pain and suffering of Afghan people,
he said: "terrorism and extremism are alien ideas to our
people. They bring only death and destruction in their wake.
They provide no answers to the problems of poverty,
illiteracy, hunger and disease."
Asserting that such ideologies have no place in a
civilised society, Singh said, "eventually, our centuries old
traditions of peaceful co-existence, of living in peace and
harmony with each other and with nature will prevail over
these deviant ideologies."
In his 25-minute speech which was applauded repeatedly
by the 354 Afghan MPs, he emphasised "we cannot and must not
allow the flames of extremism and terrorism to be fanned once
again."
Singh noted that Afghanistan has undergone great
"trials and tribulations" but has over the last 10 years
decided to turn its back on the past and face the future.
"Afghanistan has made significant progress in many
areas," he said, but observed that "there are undoubtedly many
challenges ahead" as the "process of nation building is long
and full of hurdles."
National reconstruction needs sustained hard work and
sacrifice and was a process of learning, Singh said, as
President Hamid Karzai and his council of ministers listened
keenly.
The Prime Minister said India was ready to partner the
Afghan people as they rebuild their country in accordance with
their own priorities and national circumstances.
Talking about the process of national reconciliation
which is being undertaken in Afghanistan, he said: "We wish
you well in this enterprise. It is up to you, as the peoples'
representatives, to make decisions about your country’s future
without outside interference or coercion. This is your
sovereign right."
India will respect the choices and the decisions of
the Afghan people, Singh said, as he noted that he had come
here to renew the ties of friendship, solidarity and
fraternity.
"This is the only agenda that I have come with. This
is the only agenda that the people of India have in
Afghanistan," Singh said.
"I am happy that the people of Afghanistan are
emerging from the ravages of war and rebuilding the country as
a peaceful home for the confluence of cultures, for commerce
and development and where the countries of the region
cooperate rather than compete with each other," he said.
"As an abiding friend, India will always stand by you
in this noble task. We have always stood by our Afghan friends
and I want to reaffirm that we will do so in future as well,"
Singh said.
Singh said many of Afghanistan's priorities were also
the priorities of India.
"We fully support the vision of a secure, prosperous
and democratic future for Afghanistan outlined in the National
Priority Programmes initiated by the government of
Afghanistan," he said.
Speaking about fresh USD 500-million aid package
announced by him on Thursday to take the total commitment to
two billion dollars, he said the people of India feel
privileged to see their development cooperation receive such a
warm welcome in Afghanistan.
"Nothing would give us greater satisfaction than to
see Indian resources being utilised for more roads, more
electricity, more schools, more hospitals or more community
projects -- activities that directly benefit the common Afghan
people," Singh said.
He said India will increase development outlays
towards capacity building and skill development which will
include more scholarships for Afghan students for studying in
India, institution building efforts, social development and
higher investment in the health sector by way of a medical
package.
"We will provide buses for Kabul and other
municipalities," he said.
India also proposes to upgrade the agricultural
department at the Kabul University to an agricultural
university, donate tractors to farmers and give scholarships
for the study of agricultural sciences.
India will also significantly enhance its commitment
for the small development projects scheme across provinces to
further facilitate development at the grassroots with the
involvement of local communities.