India expresses concern over violence in Afghanistan

India on Thursday described targeted killing of journalists and civil society members in Afghanistan as an attempt to suppress freedom of expression and pitched for an "immediate and comprehensive" ceasefire to lay ground for a meaningful peace process in country.

Expressing deep concern over killings, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India stands with people of Afghanistan in ir journey towards peace and se attacks are contrary to spirit of peace process and should immediately stop.

Asked about National Security viser Ajit Doval's two-day visit to Afghanistan, Srivastava said at a media briefing that his discussions with Afghan leers focused on bilateral relations and Afghan peace process.

Doval called on President Ashraf Ghani, and held talks with Afghan peace negotiator Abdullah Abdullah, Afghan National Security viser Hamdullah Mohib, Foreign Minister Mohamm Haneef Atmar and former president Hamid Karzai.

"In past few weeks, we have received inputs of several attacks on journalists and civil society activists in Afghanistan. targeted killing of journalists and civil society members, aimed at suppressing freedom of expression and informed discussion on critical issues related to peace and governance, is of deep concern," Srivastava said.

He said people of Afghanistan long for a peaceful future and India stands with m.

An immediate and comprehensive ceasefire will lay ground for a meaningful peace process to establish a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Afghanistan. India stands with people of Afghanistan in ir journey towards peace, he said. MEA spokesperson said India has invested heavily in peace and development in Afghanistan and it supports all efforts to bring peace and stability re.

" peace process must be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled. India is an important stakeholder and we look towards a peaceful, prosperous, sovereign, democratic and united Afghanistan," he said.

India has alrey invested over USD two billion in aid and reconstruction activities in country.In November, India announced a new package of over 100 high impact community projects worth USD 80 million for Afghanistan at a global conference on Afghanistan.India has been keenly following evolving political situation after US signed a peace deal with Taliban in February last year.

deal provided for withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, effectively drawing curtains on Washington's 18-year war with Taliban in country.India has also been maintaining that care should be taken to ensure that any such process does not le to any "ungoverned spaces" where terrorists and ir proxies can relocate.

India has been calling upon all sections of political spectrum in Afghanistan to work toger to meet aspirations of all people in that country, including those from minority community for a prosperous and safe future. 

(IMAGE CREDITS:PTI)