President Pratibha Patil congratulates Karzai

President Pratibha Patil today congratulated her Afghanistan counterpart Hamid Karzai on his re-election and expressed confidence that strategic partnership between the two countries would be further enhanced and strengthened. In her message, the President said, ''I am confident that under your leadership our rich and dynamic bilateral relationship -- a strategic development partnership -- will be further enhanced and strengthened.'' She said the people of India shared with the people of Afghanistan a civilisational relationship that straddles trade, commerce, architecture, politics and culture. ''As a fellow democracy and a member of SAARC, we wish the people of Afghanistan success as they march on the path of development, prosperity, peace and democracy,'' President Pratibha Patil said.

The External Affairs Ministry had yesterday congratulated Mr Karzai and reaffirmed India's commitment to assisting the government and the people of Afghanistan in building a pluralistic, democratic and prosperous nation. The Ministry said in a statement that India looked forward to partnering Afghanistan in the process of its stabilisation, reconstruction and development. ''We have noted the announcement by the Afghan Independent Election Commission on November 2 declaring Hamid Karzai's re-election as President of Afghanistan. We congratulate President Karzai and look forward to partnering Afghanistan as it continues the process of its stabilisation, reconstruction and development,'' External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said. He said the international community needed to reiterate its long-term commitment to ensure security and development in Afghanistan and stand steadfast against the challenge posed by the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban which threatens the stability of Afghanistan and that of the world as a whole. ''India on its part stands fully committed to assist the Government and people of Afghanistan as they build a pluralistic, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan,'' the spokesman said.

Mr Karzai was declared elected President of Afghanistan yesterday after his strongest rival Dr Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from the run-off poll scheduled to be held on November 7. The run-off poll was ordered after Mr Karzai admitted to having committed fraud in the first round.

Dr Abdullah Abdullah, former Foreign Minister of Afghanistan and the closest rival of Mr Karzai, had been demanding that the electoral officer under whom the first round was conducted, be removed before the November 7 run-off elections.

However, he withdrew from the contest saying his demands were not met.

Mr Karzai was elected President after the Taliban were ousted by NATO and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Mr Karzai, however, could not stem terrorism and the resurgence of Taliban.

-- (UNI) -- 04DI86.xml

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