KATHMANDU, Nepal: The Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai has said that it is the principled policy of Afghanistan not to allow the use of its soil against any country.
In his address at the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Kathmandu on Wednesday, the Afghan president stressed the need for cooperation instead of confrontation among the SAARC member-countries.
The Afghan president said that close relations are essential for strengthening of peace in the region.
Ashraf Ghani urged the member countries to boost mutual cooperation in exploring natural resources in the Caspian belt.
Earlier, the 18th SAARC Summit began in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu on Wednesday under the theme “Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity”.
The leaders of the eight-member alliance comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are attending the two-day summit.
In his address at the SAARC summit, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called for a dispute-free South Asia in order to wage a joint fight against poverty, illiteracy, disease and unemployment.
The Pakistani premier said that the regional countries should build on convergences and minimize divergences for the mutual good of their people.
In his remarks, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the regional countries should work together to combat terrorism.