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| Indo-Afghan relations embedded on common civilizations: Vohra | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, DEC 16: The Governor, NN Vohra, said that India’s centuries old relations with Afghanistan are deeply embedded in commonalities in the civilizational and cultural context.
Referring to the purposeful support being provided by India to assist the Afghanistan government in infrastructure building, the Governor observed that the historical relations between the two countries cannot be easily thwarted by vested interests.
The Governor said this in his observation at the concluding session of the 3-day International Conference on ‘Policy, People and Peace - Democratization of Foreign Policy in Parliamentary Democracies: Canada, India and Beyond’ being held at the Jammu University. The topic for the valedictory roundtable today was ‘Policy, People and Peace: Afghanistan’.
The Governor dwelt on the historical perspectives and the genesis of the situation as it obtained in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the factors and forces which had led to the birth of ISI and Taliban. He said that opposition to India playing even a developmental role in Afghanistan would engender a negative outcome for regional peace and stability.
Referring to the situation in Pakistan, the Governor said that growing instability in our neighbouring country is a cause for concern for everyone in India, adding that India’s present and future interest lies in Pakistan being a secure and stable country enjoying peaceful relations with India. “Our larger region comprises one-third of the world population which also comprises the largest single segment of poverty, unemployment, lack of shelter, hunger, disease and other problems”, he said and added that none of the countries in our region could afford to live in an insecure environment. He said that we want peace all around and a peaceful neighbourhood. He emphasized that no mentionable growth and meaningful development could be achieved without sustaining peace and normalcy. Peace is imperative for progress and prosperity of the people of this region.
Referring to this International Conference, the Governor appreciated the efforts of the Jammu University in organizing useful interactions among specialists and experts which, he added, need to be carried forward for securing deeper understandings which form the bedrock of sustaining peaceful relations.
The Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, Prof. Varun Sahni, speaking on the occasion, gave details of the Indian assistance being given to Afghanistan for infrastructure building. He also suggested providing scholarships to the increasing number of students from Afghanistan to pursue their studies in India, as this would contribute to the socio-economic development of that country.
The Director, Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, Prof. Radha Kumar, lauded the standard and quality of the conferences organized in the Jammu University. She gave details of the various initiatives taken by India ensuring a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.
Prof. Surjit Mansingh of the School of International Service, American University, Washington DC, shared her views about the American foreign policy in regard to Afghanistan.
The Associate Vice President, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Canada, Prof. Yvon Dandurand, threw light on the peace and institution building initiatives of Canada in Afghanistan.
The Director, Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia, Prof. William Maley, presented his views about the present situation in Afghanistan.
Prof. B. P. S. Sehgal from the Department of Law, Prof. Kulwant Kaur, Head, Department of Political Science and the Director, Centre for New Literatures, Culture and Communication, Jammu University, Prof. Posh Charak, also spoke on the occasion.
Besides the academicians and reputed educationists representing various universities and educational institutions of the country, foreign delegates from the Universities from Canada, Australia, America and South Africa were present at the valedictory session of the Conference, which was organized by the Centre for New Literatures, Culture and Communication in collaboration with the Department of Political Science of the Jammu University and the Centre for Peace Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
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