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Afghanistan wants Indian role in reconstruction

Seeking India's "significant" role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, Deputy Defence Minister Abdul Rashid Dostum on Thursday met Defence Minister George Fernandes and External Affairs Secretary Chokila Iyer and discussed the strengthening of ties between New Delhi and Kabul.

"We hope our friendly country India can offer a significant role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan," Dostum, who arrived in New Delhi on a two-day visit, said after meeting Iyer in South Block.

Asked whether he had discussed the issue of defence cooperation with India, he said, "No."

To a question on the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, the leader of the Al Qaeda terrorist organisation, Dostum said: "I do not know where he is", adding that 99 percent of the terrorists had been eliminated and efforts were on to trace the others.

Asked whether the issue of opening an Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif was discussed, he said it was taken up and that Kabul favoured its establishment to facilitate the reconstruction activities in Afghanistan.

Dostum conveyed the thanks of his administration and the people of Afghanistan for the support extended by India in the struggle against the Taliban regime and the fight against terrorism, an external affairs ministry spokesperson said.

Fernandes and Dostum explored the potential for cooperation in setting up an army in Afghanistan with training facilities being provided in India. Fernandes expressed India's readiness to extend cooperation in a number of these areas, the spokesperson said.

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