I use the opportunity you have provided me today to share some thoughts on Afghanistan.

In 2002, there was a strong international consensus and commitment that the rebuilding and reconstruction of Afghanistan must continue apace with a stabilization of the security situation. The Bonn, Tokyo and Berlin conferences, the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference (RECC) on Afghanistan in New Delhi, the successful completion of Presidential and Parliamentary elections- all these are prominent landmarks of the gains so far. But the challenges remain, indeed they have grown and the resurgence of the Taliban has set the entire process on precarious ground.

The increase in suicide attacks, kidnappings and most of all the growing strength of the Taliban through Afghanistan’s south make us now confront a problem which has acquired threatening proportions and which calls for a well thought our counter strategy. An oft repeated truism stares us in the face; if we forget history, we will be condemned to repeat it. The international community must do all that it can to prevent the reenactment of the ghastly dance of death of the past.

The area of instability now covers both sides of the Durand Line. It radiates and projects its influence in all areas west of the Indus. Early warning signs of this happening were perhaps ignored. We now face a situation where in a large swathe of Southern Afghanistan, international development activity has slowed down to the point of being non-existent.

Afghanistan’s concerns at the incidence of cross border infiltration have been accompanied by serious clashes between the border guards of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The arc of instability is spreading. The international community must stand united with the Afghan people and reassure them that we intend to stay the course. As a victim of the evil of terrorism, we knew that the fight against global terrorism was never going to be an easy one. We cannot allow out enthusiasm to wane or improvise solutions by way of compromises – whether with the Taliban or with others. We are dealing with a globally and regionally interconnected alliance of terrorist groups. The Al Qaeda the Taliban feed off each other, nourish and protect each other and actively cooperate in carrying out attacks against their enemies – which includes most of us present here today! Appeasement will only embolden them and they will use every concession to undermine, cripple and destroy the very base of the democratic and plural structure that the international community seeks to build there.

What can we do? We have to be determined to stay the course and deal with the security challenge as well as the developmental effort. The gap between pledged contributions and actual inflows must be bridged. Developmental activity cannot be allowed to suffer. India on its part will do what it can. We have a large and ambitious assistance programme in place, ranging from roads and hydroelectricity to small developmental projects, education and training. Much more needs to be done. But developmental efforts have to be simultaneously accompanied by action on the security front. On our part, we are ready to work together with Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the international community towards this end.

On Iran

Throughout history, Iran has radiated through Persian language and culture its influence over all its neighbouring countries. In Iran, therefore, we deal with not just a political entity but also a cultural force that takes great pride in its civilizational achievements. I think it is worth reiterating this to ourselves when we deal with that country on difficult issues such as security, non-proliferation, etc. In our view, Iran must be engaged purposefully and candidly - not by demonising its social and cultural mores but by recognizing their internal dynamic even while we may not accept them for ourselves. For those of us who inhabit the same region as Iran and are aware of the richness of its history and culture, and the pride they take in their civilization, it is axiomatic that threats against or denigration of the country will not work.

Iran has to mindful of its international obligations, but progress on the issues that concern us will not be possible by the use or the threat of use of force or sanctions. It is only engagement which will enable us to see that Iran views following its international obligations as being in its pragmatic self interest. It is a country of tremendous natural and human resources and the development of these resources will make Iran a factor for regional security. The threat or the implied threat of use of military or economic force will not.

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