End to externally sponsored terror key for peace: India to Afghanistan

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has conveyed to Afghan leadership India's support for an independent, sovereign, democratic and inclusive Afghanistan, holding that sustainable peace in the country requires an end to externally sponsored terrorism. The mention of externally sponsored terrorism is seen as an indirect reference to Pakistan's tacit support to the Taliban. Shringla travelled to Kabul on Friday on a two-day visit during which he held talks with President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Vice President-elect Amrullah Saleh and National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib. Shringla dashed off to Kabul a day ahead of the signing of the landmark peace deal between the US and the Taliban in Doha.