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Inaugural Address by Minister of State for External Affairs at the Senior Officials Meeting of the Heart of Asia Istanbul Process (April 26, 2016)

April 26, 2016

Your Excellency the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,
Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Foreign Secretary of India
Excellencies,


  • I am delighted to be here at the first Senior Officials Meeting of Heart of Asia Istanbul Process this year.
  • I convey to all of you greetings from the Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India, who was to attend the session but could not be here due to certain reasons.
  • Today’s Meeting would take note of the developments since Islamabad Ministerial Conference in December 2015 where Foreign Ministers of Heart of Asia last met. The Senior Officials Meeting, I understand will also discuss focus areas for this year, leading to the Sixth Ministerial Conference in India which would be held in December 2016.
  • The theme of this year’s Heart of Asia process is "Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity”. As participating countries of the Heart of Asia Process, we in the region are aware that the situation in Afghanistan, owing to its location at the Heart of Asia, has enormous bearing on regional peace, security and economic growth. The challenges that Afghanistan and the Heart of Asia region face are similar. For our stable and prosperous region, a strong, peaceful, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan is an imperative. Such an Afghanistan will be a bridge of connectivity between East and West, and Central and South Asia. That is what Afghanistan was, as history tells us, and therein lies our future.
  • To achieve progress and prosperity together, we need to address challenges together. This is not only in Afghanistan’s interest, but in the interest of the whole of the Heart of Asia region. It is our collective and individual responsibility to help and support Afghanistan in combating the challenges it faces to its stability and security.
  • Democracy has taken roots in Afghanistan not merely as an institution but as the country’s way of life. We acknowledge the role of the country’s leadership in steering Afghanistan through a difficult and challenging phase of witnessing multiple transitions. These challenges are made all the more daunting amidst violence unleashed on the Afghan people. We are confident that the efforts of the leaders and the people of the Afghanistan will ensure peaceful, democratic and inclusive governance for the whole of the country. Whole-hearted support of the region in this endeavour, I trust, is available to Afghanistan for building a glorious future. Excellencies,
  • India feels honoured to be an active participant in the Heart of Asia Process and also to be the lead country for the Trade, Commerce and Investment Opportunities CBM of the Heart of Asia process. This CBM is aimed at more regional economic interaction and cooperation. The objective is to create conducive conditions for Afghanistan to thrive on trade and not depend on aid. Creating more employment opportunities is also important to wean youth lured to narcotics, extremism, terrorism and other criminal activities. More jobs and economic avenues in Afghanistan and would create the conducive conditions for Afghans to stay and contribute to its development. Excellencies,
  • At Islamabad Ministerial last December, the External Affairs Minister of India had stressed the importance of connectivity of Afghanistan to regional markets such as India. She had said that if arteries remain clogged, ‘Heart cannot function properly’.
  • Connectivity in the region has to be the centrepiece of all our efforts to enhance trade, commerce and investment among regional countries. Better connectivity can enable more investment and private sector participation. It can help fully harness Afghanistan’s trade and transit potential. It will also serve to tap Afghanistan’s vast natural and human resources. Afghanistan can emerge as a hub of regional trade and energy arteries. Afghanistan, Iran and India are waiting to develop trilateral transit through Chahbahar in Iran. India is also willing to avail of other regional and trans-regional connectivity initiatives such as the North – South Transport Corridor and the Ashgabat Agreement.
  • Better regional economic connectivity will bring growth and prosperity to millions of people in the region. Better connectivity means more prosperity and more peace and stability. I request this meeting of Senior Officials of the Heart of Asia process to examine these aspects and come up with specific suggestions to enhance connectivity and shared prosperity.
  • I wish that the Senior Officials Meeting will have a stimulating and productive interaction. I do hope to see you in India for the Sixth Ministerial Conference later this year.
Thank you.

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