Blame game: Kabul justifies Delhi ties, repeats old mantra

Deputy FM says sanctuaries and use of terrorism as a political tool endanger peace, security.

ISLAMABAD: In an effort to quell growing fears in Pakistan about Afghanistan’s blossoming romance with India, senior Afghan officials said on Sunday that their country’s relationship with New Delhi did not pose any threat to regional peace.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani, while commenting on Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s request to India for defence cooperation, said last week that “as a free country, Afghanistan is free to pursue its own policies, however, Pakistan hopes that Afghanistan will keep in mind overall peace and security in the region.”

The Afghan foreign ministry reacted strongly to Jilani’s remarks.

“The Afghan-India friendship and strengthening of the Afghan National Army do not threaten peace and security in the region. It is, in fact, the terrorist sanctuaries on the other side of the Durand Line and the use of terrorism as a political tool that endanger peace and security in the region,” said Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Ershad Ahmadi said in a statement.

“If Pakistan intends honest and result-oriented cooperation to strengthen peace and stability in the region, the best way to achieve that is to dismantle the terrorist sanctuaries on its territory,” Ahmadi added.

The Karzai administration, which has been facing charges of corruption and incompetence, habitually blames Pakistan for aiding and abetting the deadly insurgency in Afghanistan. Islamabad denies the charge.

“Pakistan must bear in mind that Afghans have made sacrifices for decades in defending their independence and repelling foreign interference and aggression. The Afghan people continue to stand prepared for further decades-long sacrifices for the cause of defending their country, protecting their sovereignty and ensuring regional security,” Ahmadi said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2013.