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In a veiled attack against Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the border and when nurseries and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut.
Declaring that India is in Afghanistan to contribute not to compete, to lay the foundations of future and not light the flame of conflict, Modi also said terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape the future of the strife-torn country or dictate the choices its people make.
The prime minister was addressing the Afghan Parliament here after inaugurating its swanky new building that was built by India at a cost of $90 million in the presence of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. He also opened an 'Atal block' in the Parliament premises named after former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee whose 91st birthday fell on Friday.
In his nearly 40-minute address during which he was lustily cheered by the assembled audience on several occasions, Modi also made a veiled reference to Pakistan's
reservations about Indian involvement in Afghanistan, saying," there are some who do not want us to be here.
"There are some who did not want us to be here. There were those who saw sinister designs in our presence here. There are others who were uneasy at the strength of our partnership. Some even tried to discourage us."
"Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the border; when nurseries and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut; and, their patrons are no longer in business, he said, adding, "Terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape Afghanistan’s future or dictate the choices Afghans make."Modi
saluted people of Afghanistan for having faith in India and not judge it by others tell them, including about the mysterious Indian consulates, in anotehr veiled dig at Pakistan.
"You never doubted the sincerity of our commitment and the strength of our friendship. And, you have seen the fruits of our partnership," he said, adding, "You have judged us by what you see, not what others tell you, including about the mysterious Indian consulates." Pakistan has long alleged that India was fomenting trouble in its Balochistan province through Indian consulates in Kandahar and Jalalabad.
"You know that India is here to contribute not to compete; to lay the foundations of future, not light the flame of conflict; to rebuild lives, not destroy a nation."
Referring to the violence in Afghanistan for decades, Modi said, "Too much blood has flown down Kabul river. Too many tragedies have darkened the mountain slopes. Too many dreams have burnt in the fire of a senseless conflict."
He also urged the world to support Afghanistan.
"We must support Afghanistan without time lines because the new clouds of extremism and terrorism are rising, even as the old ones continue to darken our skies; and, because Afghans are not only fighting for their future, but are standing up for all of us and a safer world," he said.
The prime minister said it is time for all Afghans, everyone in the region and the rest of the world to come together.
"We know that Afghanistan’s success will require the cooperation and support of each of its neighbours. And, all of us in the region -- India, Pakistan, Iran and others -- must unite, in trust and cooperation, behind this common purpose and in recognition of our common destiny," he said, adding," When Afghanistan becomes a haven of peace and a hub for the flow of ideas, commerce, energy and investments in the region, we will all prosper together."
Modi said efforts were underway to improve Afghanistan's connectivity by land and sea, including through Chahbahar in Iran.
"That is why I hope that Pakistan will become a bridge between South Asia and Afghanistan and beyond," he said, adding, "I hope that the day will come soon when energy from Central Asia will power prosperity in our region; when a Kabuliwala can once again come across easily to win Indian hearts; when we in India can relish the wonderful fruits of Afghanistan; when Afghans do not have to pay an enormous price to buy their favourite products from India.