India outlines Afghan hopes

Work has begun to repair the Indian embassy in Kabul

India has firmly ruled out any role for the Taleban in a future Afghanistan government as rival Afghan factions gather for talks in the German city of Bonn.

In a statement in parliament the Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, said Afghanistan must no longer be used as a training ground for terrorists.

India recognises President Rabbani as head of state

India is watching the outcome of the Bonn talks keenly and a special envoy for Afghanistan, Satinder Lambah, has been sent to the German city to monitor developments.

In an interview with the BBC shortly before his departure, Mr Lambah said that India would like to see a broad-based, multi-ethnic government in Afghanistan.

"We want an administration in Kabul that puts an end to the export of terrorism and extremism," he said.

"We would like to see the United Nations given an important role in ensuring an end to further violence."

Suffering

Speaking in parliament, the Indian prime minister said India would join hands with the international community to help in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

It's vital that normal life there begins as soon as possible and that Afghanistan can rejoin the community of nations

Satinder Lambah

He also said India was taking steps to play a greater role in the future of Afghanistan.

Delhi has historical ties with Afghanistan and Mr Vajpayee pointed out that he had twice visited that country in the late 70s.

His government has close links with the former Afghan monarch, Zahir Shah and has provided a sanctuary to thousands of Afghan refugees.

India has also provided a sanctuary to the widow of the former Afghan President Najibullah, who lives in Delhi.

Support for Northern Alliance

But India abandoned its diplomatic mission in Kabul in September 1996, as the Taleban approached the city and has since then supported the Northern Alliance.

Indian police are wary more weapons could flood into Kashmir

Last week, Mr Lambah led an Indian team to Kabul to meet with the former President, Burhanuddin Rabbani, and also to take steps to re-establish diplomatic ties.

India is also concerned that Taleban militants forced to leave Afghanistan may start to head towards Indian-administered Kashmir.

"In the past we have had bad experiences of Afghanistan being used as a factory to export terrorism and extremism. It now seems as the rest of the world has woken up to this danger as well," Mr Lambah told the BBC.