India has reaffirmed its commitment to peace and stability of Afghanistan and said the war-ravaged country can emerge as a hub of trade and energy arteries. Addressing Senior officials Meeting of the Heart of Asia Istanbul Process in New Delhi yesterday, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said a collective approach is required to help Afghanistan to deal with challenge of violence and instability. He said, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan will be a bridge of connectivity between East and West, and Central and South Asia.
Mr. Singh said, it is the collective and individual responsibility of all to help and support Afghanistan in combating the challenges it faces to its stability and security. Pitching for developing trade routes to Afghanistan, he said, connectivity in the region has to be the centerpiece of efforts to enhance trade, commerce and investment among countries in the region.
The Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process was established in 2011 to provide a platform to discuss regional issues, particularly encouraging security, political, and economic cooperation among Afghanistan and its neighbours.
