‘We Support Democratic Aspirations Of Afghan People’: India Congratulates President Ashraf Ghani On His Re-Election

India on Thursday (20 February) congratulated Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on his re-election following the announcement of final results of the presidential elections.

Earlier on Tuesday (18 February), Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) had announced that Ghani won 50.4 per cent of the votes while his rival Abdullah Abdullah secured 39.52 per cent of votes in the 28 September election.

"India supports the democratic aspirations of the people of Afghanistan and remains committed to continue to work with the new Government," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Without referring to the ongoing US-Taliban peace talks, the government also reiterated that it will strive towards strengthening India-Afghanistan bilateral strategic partnership "in fighting the scourge of externally sponsored terrorism and for an enduring and inclusive national peace and reconciliation which is Afghan led, Afghan owned and Afghan controlled."

The Ministry said it hoped that the new government and all political leaders in Afghanistan would work to strengthen national unity, promote inclusivity and protect the rights and interests of all sections of society.

(With inputs from IANS)