London: British Prime Minister David Cameron has said India and Pakistan can play a "crucial role" to bring peace to Afghanistan through their resumed bilateral dialogue process.
"India and Pakistan can play a crucial role in bringing peace back in Afghanistan," Cameron told British Asian newspaper "Asian Lite" during a visit to a factory in east England.
"Both countries should recognise the fact that a stable, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan is in their interests too," he said yesterday.
As NATO and US forces prepare for their scheduled withdrawal from Afghanistan next year, the West has pinned its hopes on regional powers like India and Pakistan helping bring stability to the war-torn country.
"The newly elected Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, is an experienced politician and he believes India and Pakistan can have a better bilateral relationship. The Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, takes a similar view," Cameron said.
"I hope these two statesmen can act in the interest of both their countries and also the world, fostering better Indo-Pak relations," he said.
India and Pakistan recently agreed to draw up a calendar to resume their bilateral talks.
The initiative was announced after a meeting between External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and the Pakistani premier's special advisor on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, on the sidelines of a recent ASEAN foreign ministers' meet in Brunei.
Cameron's visit to Lincoln in east England hit the headlines for the wrong reasons as it emerged he had snubbed public transport to spend thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money on a helicopter flight.
"India and Pakistan can play a crucial role in bringing peace back in Afghanistan," Cameron told British Asian newspaper "Asian Lite" during a visit to a factory in east England.
"Both countries should recognise the fact that a stable, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan is in their interests too," he said yesterday.
"The newly elected Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, is an experienced politician and he believes India and Pakistan can have a better bilateral relationship. The Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, takes a similar view," Cameron said.
Advertisement
India and Pakistan recently agreed to draw up a calendar to resume their bilateral talks.
Advertisement
Cameron's visit to Lincoln in east England hit the headlines for the wrong reasons as it emerged he had snubbed public transport to spend thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money on a helicopter flight.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Matter Of Great Pride": What PM Narendra Modi Said On Vinesh Phogat's Paris Olympics 2024 Feat Moto G45 5G India Launch Date Set for August 21; Design, Colour Options, Key Features Revealed Will India Host Women's T20 World Cup 2024 In Place Of Bangladesh? Jay Shah's Response Mamata Banerjee's Sunday Ultimatum To CBI For Death Penalty In Rape-Murder Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool PM Shri Schools Are Inspiring Rural Children: Dharmendra Pradhan Will Messages From Budget Session Of Parliament Find Reflection In Subsequent Sessions? Mpox Outbreak Could Soon Turn Into The Next Global Pandemic. Know More Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.