Minister of State for External Affairs, Gen V K Singh on Wednesday asserted India's firm commitment to the rebuilding and reconstruction of Afghanistan and voiced support for an inclusive political settlement in the country while addressing the Ministerial Conference in Geneva

Singh reiterated India's support to the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan in the peace and reconciliation process and the need for firm action by the international community against those who breed, support, sustain and sponsor terror and violence.

Recalling India's age-old historical, cultural, civilizational and economic ties with Afghanistan, Singh also enunciated India's perspective on the development cooperation assistance to the country keeping its people as the priority.

Singh, accompanied by a delegation of ministerial officials further reiterated India's development assistance commitment of over USD three billion to Afghanistan in consonance with Afghanistan's priorities under its National Peace and Development Framework.

He stated that for enduring peace and stability, terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries need to be eliminated and there is an imperative need for any political settlement to be free of external influence.

Earlier, on Tuesday, in a high-level closed-door dinner on Peace in Afghanistan jointly organised by the Government of Afghanistan and the United Nations, he expressed India's support in building a united, stable, secure, inclusive, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan and reiterated that peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan have to be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.

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