DCM Haidari Speaks at Delhi University on Political Transition in Afghanistan

New Delhi: - On April 11, 2014, Deputy Chief of Mission M. Ashraf Haidari delivered remarks on Afghanistan’s recent historic elections, an integral part of the political transition in the country,  at a Conference on “Political Transition in India’s Neighborhood: Afghanistan and Myanmar,” hosted by Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, at Zakir Husain Delhi College. “In a year of transition when we need it the most, these exchanges greatly help correct many of the prevailing misperceptions about Afghanistan,” Mr. Haidari said. “So, we immensely appreciate this distinguished University’s commitment to Afghanistan’s stabilization and reconstruction, through provision of constructive scholarship on the challenges that confront my country and the whole region,” he added.

Speaking to an audience of students, faculty, and experts from India and the region, Mr. Haidari pointed out that the overall transition process in Afghanistan was proceeding well, in spite of ongoing terrorist attacks launched on the country from outside. The country’s successful holding of elections on April 5, 2014, he said, demonstrated that Afghans were fully owning and leading the process, including protection of voters against terrorist threats and attacks.

Mr. Haidari noted: “The Afghan voter turnout at 60% is certainly much higher than voter turnout in some of the most established democracies under very normal conditions. In Afghanistan, of 12 million eligible voters, more than 7 million Afghans—including women and men, young and old, and rich and poor—turned out to cast their votes in favor of their candidate of choice at over 6,200 polling centers across urban and rural Afghanistan. More than 35% of these voters were women.”

Mr. Haidari welcomed international expressions of support, following April 5 elections in Afghanistan. He called on the international community not to let down Afghanistan’s vote against terrorism, and called on the country’s allies and friends to continue helping institutionalize democracy in the country. He welcomed India’s statement of support, which called the overwhelming Afghan turnout to vote “an important message that everyone should listen to,” pledging that “India will continue to work to support the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to build a strong, independent and democratic Afghanistan.”