Countries must stop support to terror groups in Afghanistan:

India has told a six-nation meet on Afghanistan that it is essential for countries to stop supporting terror groups and terrorists in any form besides denying safe havens to them to end the menace that besets the war-torn country and the region.

Briefing reporters today on yesterday's meet in Moscow, which was attended by India, Russia, China, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said New Delhi emphasised that an end to violence and terrorism is fundamental to promote security and creating an environment necessary for peace and reconciliation which is Afghan-led and owned.

"We stressed that it is essential to end all forms of terrorism and extremism that beset Afghanistan and our region, and to ensure denial of territory or any other support, safe havens or sanctuaries to any terrorist group or individual in countries of our region," he said. The Indian stance seemed an obvious reference to Pakistan.
 

Swarup said India also underlined that it is up to the Government of Afghanistan to decide whom to engage in direct talks and these efforts can only be facilitated by friends and well-wishers of Afghanistan.

The consultations brought together regional countries, which have an important stake in peace and security in Afghanistan, to exchange views on promoting security as well as peace and reconciliation in that country, he said.

India expressed the hope that the initiative for these consultations, which mark a new beginning, would help promote regional cooperation for stabilising the situation in Afghanistan, protecting its unity and integrity and pursuing peace and reconciliation, Swarup said.

"We pointed out that regional efforts to promote security, peace and development in Afghanistan can benefit from wider international collaboration and cooperation," the Spokesperson said.

The conference is an initiative of Russia-China-Pakistan trilateral and India was invited during the visit of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to Russia last month. India was not invited for a similar conference two months ago.