India committed for a prosperous Afghanistan: Jaitley

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said it has been India's endeavour to promote political consultations and regional cooperation through this platform for a strong, independent and prosperous Afghanistan, adding that India's co-hosting the Heart of Asia Process this year is a reflection of this commitment.

Stating that India takes pride in being an active participant in the Heart of Asia Process, Jaitley said, "This unique platform brings together the countries and organisations of the region and beyond in their efforts to consolidate Afghanistan as a modern and growing democracy."

The theme for the Heart of Asia Process this year is 'Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity.

A key focus during India's co-chairmanship of this process has been to centre-stage the importance of connectivity for Afghanistan, and promoting that remains at the very core of India's cooperation with Afghanistan and also in the region, said Jaitley while addressing the conference, which discussed peace, cooperation and economic development in Afghanistan.

"Afghanistan has the potential to be the land bridge between various parts of the vast and dynamic Eurasian landmass. There are many promising projects like the TAPI gas pipeline, TAT railway line, CASA 1000. They will bring prosperity to Afghanistan and also bring the Central Asian and South Asian regions closer together," said Jaitley addressing the conference.

The theme for this year's conference is 'Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity'.

On the sidelines of Heart of Asia summit Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared India's vision and commitment for a united, stable, prosperous, peaceful and democratic Afghanistan.

The conference is aimed to gear international cooperation to see the emergence of such a prosperous Afghanistan.