Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday demanded a thorough investigation into the presence of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan for several years, but ruled out a US-type operation by India to eliminate Pakistan-based terrorists wanted by it.
Asked if India would adopt the type of operation that the US carried out to eliminate the Al Qaeda chief in order to get Pakistan-based terrorists wanted by it, Dr Singh began by saying, “These are sensitive issues and we don’t discuss strategies on terror in press conferences.”
The PM concluded his response by stating, “I would like to say India is not like the United States,” a clear indication that he did not favour such an operation.
To the question on a US-type operation, he expressed hope that the world community would use its increasing influence to persuade all countries in the region that the future does not belong to having continued recourse to the scourge of terrorism. “Experience in the past has been rather frustrating and disappointing. One cannot lose hope. Let me say one thing, I would like to say India is not like the United States,” Dr Singh said.
“One needs to go for a thorough investigation into the presence of Osama bin Laden for such a long time on the soil of Abbottabad,” he said at a joint press conference here with Afghan President Hamid Karzai after their talks. The killing of Bin Laden was a “unique moment” in the history of the region, said the PM. Bin Laden’s death had created a “new situation” and all countries of the region — India, Pakistan and Afghanistan — would recognise this as a “unique moment” in the history of this region and work unitedly to end the scourge of terrorism, he said.
In his opening remarks, the PM announced a fresh commitment of $500 million to Afghanistan in the next few years for its development. “This will consist of specific projects and schemes and other initiatives that will be developed in consultation with the government of Afghanistan.” Dr Singh reiterated India’s “firm and unwavering” commitment to assisting Afghanistan in areas which are of priority and concern to them.
To a question on relations between India and Afghanistan, the PM said as far as Indo-Afghan relations was concerned, it was not directed against any nation. “We will like to develop good relations with all the countries, that includes Pakistan and Afghanistan. Therefore, there is no question of Pakistan feeling that good relations between Afghanistan and India will harm Pakistan,” Dr Singh said.
To a question about the presence of international forces in Afghanistan, he said it was a matter to be decided by the people and government of Afghanistan. He also said the strategic partnership will be implemented under the framework of a Partnership Council which will be headed by the two foreign ministers.
The Prime Minister said the joint declaration between the two countries envisages regular political consultations, establishment of a strategic economic partnership, education and human resource capacity building, people-to-people exchanges, regional economic cooperation and cooperation in the area of security and law enforcement.
Replying to questions, Mr Karzai said international cooperation on fighting terror in the region would benefit India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries. “It is high time we recognise that. Terrorism is like a snake which can sneak in anywhere,” Mr Karzai said. He also appreciated India’s commitment to Afghanistan in development assistance, saying New Delhi was doing this despite it not traditionally being a big donor country. —PTI