Situation in Afghanistan issue of concern: India

India is naturally concerned at the situation in Afghanistan, says the minister of state for external affairs.

He called the situation in Afghanistan a matter of concern for all neighbours, including India and the Central Asian countries.

Speaking in Parliament on Friday, V Muraleedharan said this while answering a query about the maiden India-Central Asia Summit hosted by New Delhi last month.

The Press Trust of India quoted him as saying: “The issue of Afghanistan was discussed during the summit and the situation is of natural concern for neighbouring countries …”

The minister of state said the Delhi declaration, issued at the end of the summit, was reflective of the broad consensus on Afghanistan.

Both India and the Central Asian countries had agreed on the delivery of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and battling terrorism and drug trafficking there.