Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar reaffirmed his country's steadfast and unflinching support for a democratic and republic Afghanistan in its pursuit of stability and prosperity at a time as Afghanistan government and Taliban militants have embarked on a journey to reach a settlement to end the grilling conflict. Ambassador Kumar blames Pakistan’s intelligence agencies for stoking the fire in Afghanistan by supporting terrorist organizations. He holds a strong belief that unless terrorists’ infrastructure and support outside of Afghanistan is dismantled, an enduring peace will not materialize.

Afghanistan Times has spoken with Ambassador Vinay Kumar about a range of hot-button issues presented here:

How do you see upcoming peace talks? Do you think negotiations will culminate in peace and stability in Afghanistan?

Vinay Kumar: India has had a longstanding policy of supporting an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process anchored on dismantling of terrorist infrastructure – in which Afghans and political groups can find a compromise in governance, power-sharing and nation-building. We have observed for more than four decades that the origins, support and infrastructure of terrorism is located outside Afghanistan’s borders. Unless that is not resolved, we are very apprehensive that we can’t achieve an enduring peace. As peace talks are still unfolding, India hopes there is genuine willingness for a negotiated political settlement. Moreover, preservation of Afghanistan’s gains in the past 19 years is necessary, which requires all segments of society to come together on a common political platform. That, I repeat, hinges on an end to violence and terrorist bases overseas. That can be pursued when environment is free from violence without big walls and barbed wires. India would always stand with Afghanistan in its pursuit of national peace, stability and prosperity. Without peace, we can’t have stability and at this stage, democratic and republican forces of Afghanistan will have work together to preserve the gains of past decades.

http://www.afghanistantimes.af/india-never-flinches-in-support-of-democracy-in-afghanistan-2/