New Delhi, January 31
The Deputy Defence Minister Afghanistan Abdul Rashid Dostum today met Defence Minister George Fernandes and External Affairs Secretary Chokila Iyer and urged India to play a significant role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
“We hope our friendly country India can offer significant role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan,” Dostum, who arrived here on a two-day visit, told reporters after a 30 minute meeting with Ms Iyer in the South Block this evening. Dostum also sought further strenghtening of ties between the two countries.
Stating that Kabul was grateful for New Delhi’s support in its difficult period, Dostum said having got rid of the Taliban regime and the international terrorist organisations,
Afghanistan had entered a new “peaceful phase of life. War time is over.” Asked whether he had discussed any defence cooperation with India, he merely said “no”.
To a question on the whereabouts of leader of Al-Qaida terrorist organisation Osama bin Laden, Dostum said: “I do not know where he is”. But 99 per cent of the terrorists had been eliminated and efforts were continuing to trace others he added.
“If some people are still in hiding, we will continue to chase them till the end,” he added.
Asked whether issue of India opening a consulate in Mazar-e-Sharief was discussed during the meeting, he said it was taken up and that Kabul favoured its establishment to facilitate reconstruction activities in Afghanistan.
Later, the foreign office spokesperson said the Afghan minister had also sought India’s help in raising a national army of Afghanistan. In his meeting with the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, Dostum sought India’s help in training the men for the Afghan army.
