Delhi, Ashgabat back Afghanistan’s sovereignty

KABUL (Pajhwok): India and Turkmenistan say they stoutly support a peaceful, secure, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

During his visit to the Central Asian country, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind said they respected Afghanistan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

Speaking to students of the Institute of International Relations, he said as immediate neighbours of Afghanistan, India and Turkmenistan were obviously worried about recent developments in Kabul.

New 18 quoted him as saying: “We strongly support a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan and emphasise its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.”

He added India shared a broad regional consensus on issues related to Afghanistan, including the formation of a representative and inclusive government, combating terrorism and drug trafficking.

The visiting president also stressed a central role for the UN in providing immediate humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan and preserving the rights of women, children and all ethnic groups and minorities there.

Kovind and his Turkmen counterpart Serdar Berdimuhamedov discussed Afghanistan, joint regional joint projects, connectivity and stability.

They also exchanged view on energy cooperation. Kovind stressed security along the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan- Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline.

PAN Monitor/mud

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