NEW DELHI: Afghan President Hamid Karzai signed a strategic partnership with India on Tuesday in a move bound to raise suspicion in Pakistan at a time of shifting alliances in unstable South Asia.
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have long been fragile, have soured over accusations that Islamabad has been covertly funding militant groups carrying out attacks in the neighbouring country.
Karzai, speaking at a news conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, stressed again that "terrorism" was being used "as an instrument of policy against our citizens" in a veiled reference to Pakistan.
The "strategic partnership" sealed with India -- the first such pact between Afghanistan and another country -- deepens already friendly ties and aims to boost trade, security and cultural links between the countries.
Singh said the deal "creates an institutional framework for our future cooperation," while adding that separate agreements on energy and mining "add a new dimension to our economic relations."
He added: "India will stand by the people of Afghanistan as they prepare to assume the responsibility for their governance and security after the withdrawal of international forces in 2014."
"We are grateful that India has committed to participating in the conference," Karzai said at the news conference in New Delhi, adding that he was grateful for Indian support.
Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011
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