The Hindu : Sinha to visit Afghanistan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 08, 2002

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Sinha to visit Afghanistan

By Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI AUG. 7. The External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, announced tonight that he would be visiting Afghanistan later this week to hold talks with that country's leadership.

In a brief address at a reception held for Afghan diplomats and police officers trained in India, Mr. Sinha reiterated India's desire to see Afghanistan emerge as a strong, united, independent and prosperous country.

Mr. Sinha, who will leave for Dubai on Friday and then to Kabul, said he would personally acquaint himself in detail about the "needs and requirements'' of Afghan reconstruction. ``Developments in Afghanistan in (the) last several years, especially since September 11, 2001, have had a significant impact on the security situation in our region. While the Al-Qaeda and Taliban have been displaced from Afghanistan, they, along with other terrorist organisations, continue to regroup and reorganise. This poses a serious threat not only to return of peace and stability in Afghanistan, but also risks spread of instability in our region.''

Accordingly, he said, one of the important efforts in Afghan reconstruction had to be the development of the country's security structures. It was important that these structures continue to be established as Afghan institutions. He said that the ongoing police training programmes, in which a total of some 250 Afghan police officers would be trained in 12 batches, was part of India's contribution to strengthening Afghan security. The second batch of Afghan diplomats was also undergoing training in New Delhi, he added.

During Mr. Sinha's visit to Kabul, the first of three Air-India Airbus 300 aircraft to be gifted to Afghanistan, is slated to be handed over. The remaining will be handed over subsequently. Two extra engines and spare parts also will be made over to Ariana Airlines. From the Minister's travel plans, it is evident that he is stressing heavily on the region. His trip to Afghanistan will follow bilateral visits to the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.

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