India committed to economic reconstruction of Afghanistan: Sushma Swaraj

India has proposed the setting up of the 'India-Central Asia Development Group' to take forward this development partnership between India and Central Asian countries.

India on Sunday said it was committed to the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan and to promote an inclusive “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled” peace and reconciliation process in the war-torn country.

India’s position was enunciated by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the historic India-Central Asia Dialogue here, with the participation of Afghanistan, which focussed on a plethora of regional issues including enhancing connectivity to the country ravaged by terrorism.

“I would like to specifically point out that our region is facing serious challenges posed by terrorism. India, Central Asia and Afghanistan are societies which are tolerant and plural. The ideology of hate which the terrorists would like to spread has no place in our societies,” Swaraj said while addressing the first session of the dialogue.

“We also need to ask that who these terrorists are, who funds them, how do they find sustenance, who protects and sponsors them,” she said.