India-Pakistani dialogue needed for stable Afghanistan: Envoy

Increased dialogue between India and Pakistan could help ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan in the wake of the international forces drawdown slated for 2014, Afghanistan Ambassador Shaida M. Abdali said here Tuesday.

"We are hoping for an increased India-Pakistan dialogue for Afghanistan… that is exactly what we want.. A stable Afghanistan will be beneficial for the entire South Asian region," Abdali said at a seminar '2014 -Way Ahead for India, Pakistan and Afghanistan' organised by the South Asian Free Media Association (India Chapter).

He said that "it was time to analyse how to embark upon the 2014 era."

Pakistan High Commissioner Salman Bashir agreed with Abdali and said there was need for consultation and cooperation amongst all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations, especially India and Pakistan, to come out with a solution for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.

"The government (Pakistan) will make all attempts to better relations with India… a peaceful, democratic Afghanistan is important and will result in stability not only in Pakistan but the entire region," he said.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said that with general elections almost a year away the new government that would be elected in 2014 "will be at an advantage" as it will get time to see steps taken by Pakistan to improve ties with India.