H.E. Mr. Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Ambassador of Afghanistan in India
Afghanistan is going through troubled times. India's relations with Afganistan have been historically good and it is no surprise that India is one of the major donors focussing on development projects. This is an appropriate time for understanding the views of the Ambassador on a variety of issues. Exerpts of the Face to Face interview with the Ambassador.
ANA: Excellency, how would you describe the present political situation in your country?
When do you think there will be clarity on the Presidential election?
HE. : Afghanistan is undergoing a historical phase of political transition i.e. for the first time in our history one elected President is transferring power to another democratically elected President. The recently conducted Presidential election involved a great participation of our people contributing to shape their future through casting their votes for the candidates of their choice. Afghanistan, having been through three decades of imposed war, is naturally experiencing issues and challenges somewhat different from other countries in the world. Our democratic institutions mandated with managing the electoral process carried out their activities at the best of their capacity utilizing the resources available to them. However, there have been disputes over the efficiency and neutrality of the institutions. It is natural process, Afghanistan will require a long time before obtaining fully reliable and efficient electoral bodies. To ensure the legitimacy of the new government and to respect the dedication of the people in this national process, the two leading candidates agreed to recount the ballots, which is being done as we speak. Hopefully, it will soon be clear who the next president of Afghanistan would be.
ANA: In your opinion, is the next government likely to be inclusive with all ethnic and other interests taken care of?
HE. : This is what the objective is. The reason why the process is taking longer than it does in most countries is because the Afghan people have to ensure that their democratic gains are not undermined, their rights are protected and their determination is reflected in a legitimate elected government. Both candidates have agreed on a political framework to form a national unity government regardless of who wins the majority votes as a result of the recount. In other words, they have agreed to form a government that would represent their two teams, as well as all other Afghans
ANA:Post 2014 after the withdrawal of US forces, Afghanistan would have a different security scenario.
Excellency, could you give us a sense of the challenges that your country will need to deal with in the first few years post 2014?
HE.: As you may be aware, the Afghan Security Forces have already taken over the security responsibility in most parts of Afghanistan. They have responded to the insurgent attacks promptly and effectively. The recent stern response against a large scale and well-coordinated terrorist attacks is a clear example. However, building a fully capable force against all kinds of threats is still a work in progress. They need long term and sustained assistance in better training, equipping and other technical assistance to become fully self-reliant and self-sufficient. What we have to recognize is the fact that not only Afghanistan but the region is suffering from a proxy war resulting mostly in the killing and wounding of innocentpeople. The post 2014 situation should be regarded as a regional issue of concern which requires concerted regional approach to it. The transformation decade following 2014 is to bring about an era of opportunity for the whole region to benefit from the potentials available through connecting the countries’ economies. The enemies of Afghanistan and the region bearing this in mind use every opportunity to hamper the process and turn the decade of opportunities to the other extreme which means further terror and darkness. So, it is foreseeable that in the absence of a coordinated security approach by the countries in the region Afghanistan could continue to suffer from the war,but that situation is not to going to remain restricted to Afghanistan, it will overflow to the entire region with equal negative consequences
ANA: What do you see as India’s role in the post 2014 situation? Do you for example, foresee a more aggressive role by India?
HE.: We are not for the idea of ‘aggression’ in any part of the region or the world. Both India and Afghanistan are peace loving nations. We will continue to promote peace, harmony and good neighborly relations among all neighbors. At the same time, we expect India as a leading regional player to take a more responsible andproactive part in the fight against terrorism that affects Afghanistan and India alike. There is an urgent need to adopta robust and firm approach,availing all the means available toovercome the security challenges facing the two countries, and the region as a whole.
ANA: Afghan ? Pakistan relations have not been the best really. How do you see bilateral relations evolving in future?
HE.: Well, it is very unfortunate that the relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have not been on good terms. Yet the two have an immense level of shared interests and values. Afghanistan has done everything it could to improve its relations with Pakistan. For example, no government in the past had put so much effort in place as President Karzai during his 12 years long rule to establish good neighborly relations with Pakistan, and to convince its leadershipthat the use of terrorism as an instrument against neighbors could never prevail.Despite all his efforts in the last twelve years , terrorism continues to be used as tool of foreign policy. Terrorist groups under different names continue to be provided with safe sanctuaries and funding to terrorize our people on daily basis. As have done so far, the Afghan people will continue to resist them no matter what it costs for them to have a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. This is exactly what we seek for all our neighbors including the people of Pakistan. It is very painful to see the ordinary people of Pakistan are now paying the price for their government’s misguided and short sighted policies. Scores of innocent lives are lost almost on daily basis, which we are extremely saddened by and sympathize with. We hope that the newly elected government in Pakistan under PM Nawaz Sharif, which has acknowledged the problems on a member of occasions and promised to change the course, would soon recognize the fact that it has no other option but to act with sincerity,so that it ensures its own peace and security, as well as for its neighbors.
ANA: Afghanistan has emerged as the largest producer of illicit opium. There has been increased area underillicit cultivation in 2013. Nothing seems to have worked in curtailing the trend except when the Taliban banned the cultivation a decade ago. How do you read the future in this regard?
HE.: Insecurity and opium cultivation are complementary to each other. Narcotic production fuels insecurity and insecurity provides the opportunity for narcotic production. When you look at the two parallel-running phenomena, you should see it in a smaller and larger picture. Afghanistan has always conveyed the issue as serious concern at all fora. It is the demand for the substance that promotes the cultivation of opium. On the other hand, Afghanistan does not produce precursors of illicit drugs. We have sought the cooperation of the region in preventing the trafficking of precursors into Afghanistan which is currently done in large quantities. When we talk about fighting terrorism we have to look at the roots of the problem and stop all associated activities in this regard, including targeting the ways and the means of supporting and financing terrorism.
ANA:Excellency, please enlighten our readers on the immediate priorities, as you see them, of the new government.
HE.: The priority of the new government will begin with addressing the most concerning issues. Certainly, security will top the agenda of the new government along with a number of other immediate priorities including economic development. Much have been achieved in the last twelve years. Afghanistan will enter the transformation decade by theend of 2014.The new Afghan government will capitalize on the many achievements made in the last 12 years including in security and economic development, and transform them into a stronger foundation for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan in the future.
