Russia offers support to Pakistan after Heart of Asia conference

AMRITSAR: Russian special envoy to Afghanistan Mr. Zamir Kabulov extended support to Pakistan at the concluded Heart of Asia conference in the Indian city of Amritsar.

Mr. Kabulov, while addressing the conference, said that the speech by Pakistan’s Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz was friendly and constructive.

The Russian envoy said that Afghanistan is the pivot of the Heart of Asia conference and the agenda of the conference has not been hijacked. He said that all major players must extend long-term support to Afghanistan.

He said that being friends and supporters we should avoid the blame game and work together, and that bilateral relations should not cloud forums like the Heart of Asia.

“I don’t think the Heart of Asia is the right place for settling scores,” said Kabulov while speaking to the media after the session.

He also downplayed recent Russian military exercises with Pakistan, saying that no one has the right to complain when Russia does not complain about Indian relations with the US.

Pakistan received scathing criticism at the conference from the Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani who alleged that Pakistan was providing sanctuary to terrorists.

Ghani also stepped bilateral relations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India announced $1 billion aid to Afghanistan and to establish an air corridor between the two countries.

The Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process was established in 2011 to provide a platform to discuss regional issues, and increase security, political, and economic cooperation among Afghanistan and its neighbours.