‘Close terror hubs for Afghan peace’

India on Tuesday reminded the world that unless terror sanctuaries in Pakistan are closed, terrorism will continue to fester in Afghanistan and the region.

India on Tuesday reminded the world that unless terror sanctuaries in Pakistan are closed, terrorism will continue to fester in Afghanistan and the region. External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna in remarks at the international conference on Afghanistan in Kabul also warned that “terrorism cannot be compartmentalised”.

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Krishna, at the conference as well during his meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, also expressed India’s concerns about the Taliban reintegration process.

“India also supports Afghanistan’s efforts towards peace and reintegration. But for such an effort to succeed, it must be fully Afghan-led and Afghan-owned and carry all sections of Afghanistan’s population together as well as abide by the red lines agreed to at the London Conference, i.e., giving up violence, cutting off all links with terrorism — whether jihadi or state-sponsored,” he said.

Krishna avoided directly naming Pakistan in his 700-word intervention, but obliquely referred to it saying Afghanistan could not be free of violence unless efforts were made to deny terrorist their “support, sustenance and sanctuaries”.

Krishna said, “The international community should also ensure there is no selectivity in dealing with terrorism. Terrorism cannot be compartmentalised.” “Today, one cannot distinguish between Al Qaeda and plethora of terrorist organisations which have imbibed the goals and techniques of Al Qaeda. It is, therefore, essential to ensure that support, sustenance and sanctuaries for terrorist organisations from outside Afghanistan are ended.”

Meeting with Clinton

On the sidelines of the conference, Krishna met his US counterpart Hillary Clinton discussed the Afghan situation, Indo-Pak talks and the forthcoming visit of US President Barack Obama to India.

Krishna also told Clinton about his talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad last week, sources said.