Q. 3795 .AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA ON AFGHANISTAN

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether India has signed any pact with Russia regarding Afghanistan;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has taken diplomatic steps to safeguard India’s interests in Afghanistan; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)

(a) & (b) No specific agreements regarding Afghanistan have been signed with the Russian Federation.

However, the situation in Afghanistan is a matter of constant deliberation between the Governments of India and the Russian Federation. The subject is discussed and views exchanged at the highest political level. It is also periodically reviewed at the level of the respective Ministries of External/Foreign Affairs as well as between the security agencies.

India and the Russian Federation share a high degree of convergence and commonality of views regarding the situation in Afghanistan. During the recent visit of the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Putin to New Delhi (Dec 24, 2012), the two sides concluded a Joint Statement that elaborates on the mutually agreed positions of both the sides on Afghanistan.

In the Joint Statement, the two sides recognised terrorism as the main threat to Afghanistan’s security and stability. The two countries also recognised the regional dimensions of terrorism and extremism, emphasizing the need for joint and concerted efforts and cooperation among the regional countries to address this challenge in all its forms and manifestations.

The Joint Statement also recalled the holding of the Delhi Investment Summit on Afghanistan in June 2012 to promote investments into Afghanistan.

(c) & (d) Government is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Afghanistan and is in touch with various stakeholders, including the Government of Afghanistan, its regional and international partners on developments pertaining to Afghanistan. India is also part of various international efforts to bring about peace and stability in that country. Government will take all necessary measures to safeguard India’s interests in this regard. India believes that a peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan is the best guarantee for securing Indian interests in that country. India has, accordingly, signed a comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with Afghanistan in October 2011 aimed at stepping up political, economic, security, social and cultural ties with Afghanistan. In addition to ongoing assistance, India organized the Delhi Investment Summit on Afghanistan in June 2012 in an effort to encourage Indian and foreign investment into Afghanistan.

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