Afghanistan needs sustained support of world community: PM - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has said that war-ravaged Afghanistan needs the sustained support of the world community, and added that India is doing its bit even it does not suit some other countries in the neighbourhood. Interacting with the president of the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR), Richard Haas, during a question and answer session that followed a speech to the august gathering, Dr. Singh said: "It is quite clear that Afghanistan requires the sustained support of the global community if it has to return to peace and normalcy." On the continued presence of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan despite an allied offensive led by the NATO, Dr. Singh said: " There is no doubt in may mind that if the Taliban and Al Qaeda succeed in Afghanistan, it would be catastrophic for not only Pakistan, but also South Asia." Not dealing with these elements in a firm and timely manner could result in the terrorist menace taking root even in the Middle East and beyond, he warned. Clearly unwilling to play safe just because he was going to meet President Obama, his host, Dr. Singh put India's point of view on various issues with a like it or lump it attitude. He said that India has an abiding commitment to Afghanistan's efforts to build a democratic, stable, prosperous and pluralistic polity. "We will fulfil all our commitments to Afghanistan. We are there to fix things and too bad if it doesn't suit others," said Singh. Last year, India announced an additional development aid of 450 million dollars for rebuilding the violence-ravaged country. The fresh aid has taken India's total contribution to reconstruction of Afghanistan to 1.2 billion dollars, making New Delhi one of the largest donors to that country.