Need to move beyond ‘environment of mistrust’ in S. Asia: Karzai

New Delhi: Former president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai on Tuesday said that there is need to move beyond the current environment of mistrust in South Asia, adding that the nature of relation between some countries in South Asia is adversely affecting the security and prosperity of the entire region.

“We must move beyond the current environment of mistrust in South Asia. We have constantly given assurances of friendship to Pakistan. Nature of relation between some countries in South Asia is adversely affecting security and prosperity of the entire region,” Karzai said while speaking at the ongoing Raisina Dialogue 2016, which began in the national capital today.

“Our part of the world is witnessing two different trends. On the one hand, the great economic cries of the Asia led by the global giants-China and India is bringing prosperity to hundreds of millions of people. On the other hand, unfortunately, we see the continuing ride militant extremism,” he added.

Karzai further stated that under these circumstances the ability to promote one trend further will determine the course of everyone’s future.

“Perhaps, it is necessary to look back at our past and see how we did it then. India, China and the countries surrounded were much more integrated, affluent and better off,” he added.

Karzai was invited to the conference by Observer Research Foundation (ORF), an Indian think tank, which is the organising partner of the Raisina Dialogue 2016 with the Ministry of External Affairs.

Besides the Afghan delegation, over 400 personalities from 40 countries and organisations have been invited to the March 1-3 event.

Envisioned as India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, the Raisina Dialogue 2016 is designed to explore prospects and opportunities for Asian integration as well as Asia’s integration with the whole world.

It is predicated on India’s vital role in the region and how India along with its partners can build a stable regional and world order.

The 2016 conclave will focus on Asia’s physical, economic, digital connectivity and fostering common global spaces with an emphasis on Asia. (ANI)