Karzai hopes Pakistan will provide access for trade with India

Expressing hope that Pakistan will provide access for transit route for trade between Afghanistan and India, Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday said trade between the three countries is an essential element for the progress and stability of the country.

"The trade has to happen if they want to establish the region with prosperity and free of conflict. I hope Pakistan will soon give transit route to India," he said.

"Trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Pakistan and India, and trade between the three countries is an essential element for the progress and stability of the countries" he added.

Meanwhile responding to the same question, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said, "Pakistan has to open for the sake of Afghanistan. By this Afghanistan gets direct access to India via Pakistan. It will be of enormous help to Afghanistan."

Khurshid said meanwhile India will continue to push for Chabahar Port, on the western part of Afghanistan as an alternative route.

"It is important that Afghanistan success would be guaranteed, if it has connectivity from all sides of border. We would want to see all countries step in including Pakistan," he added.

Khurshid also said that India has to resolve issues with Pakistan.

"They have promised 'Most Favored Nation' status to India, which has not been given to us yet," he added.