India talks tough, says don't be selective on terror

Kabul: One can't be selective about fighting terror, India's Foreign Minister SM Krishna told the Kabul conference and also brought up the recent Indo-Pak dialogue with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the sidelines of the donors conference here on Tuesday.

At the Kabul conference, Krishna aired India's concerns about the proposed re-integration of the Taliban, a contentious proposal to turn lure back low-level Taliban operatives through cash and job incentives, that was endorsed by the 70-nation London Conference on Afghanistan six months ago.

India said any new process to stabilise the war-torn nation must be fully "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned" and sought an end to sustenance and sanctuaries for terrorists from outside.

The international community should ensure that there is no selectivity in dealing with terrorism, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said in a statement at the international conference on Afghanistan, where he supported the peace process which, he added, should be "inclusive and transparent."

"Terrorism cannot be compartmentalised. Today, one cannot distinguish between al-Qaeda and plethora of terrorist organisations which have imbibed the goals and techniques of al-Qaeda.

"It is therefore, essential to ensure that support, sustenance and sanctuaries for terrorist organisations from outside Afghanistan are ended forthwith," he told the delegates, including his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi who was among the 30-odd Foreign Ministers present at the meet.

Describing India and Afghanistan as "historic friends," Krishna said New Delhi has contributed to this country's efforts in nation-building and reconstruction "entirely in accordance with the priorities of the Afghan government and people."

Krishna briefs Clinton on Indo-Pak talks

Krishna briefed Clinton on the dialogue with his Pakistani counterpart S M Qureshi apart from reviewing bilateral ties. They also spoke about Obama's India visit in November. Both are learnt to have a good meeting in which they reviewed the Af-Pak policy.

Krishna and Clinton also reviewed the US National Security Adviser James Jones's recent visit to New Delhi. India is hoping for the easing of US high-tech exports as a major gain during Obama's visit.

(With inputs from Agencies)