Karzai: Afghanistan Would “Stand” with Pakistan

Posted October 23rd, 2011 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
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Afghanistan's president says his country would support Pakistan if it were attacked by either the United States or India.

Hamid Karzai said Saturday if Pakistan came under attack from the U.S., India or any other country that Afghanistan would “stand with Pakistan.” The Afghan president made the remarks Saturday in an interview aired on the private Pakistan television station GEO.

Analysts say Mr. Karzai's comments are likely not a serious statement of policy, but rather an overture to Pakistan, whose cooperation is sorely needed if Afghanistan is to have a chance at stability after years of conflict and civil war.

President Karzai's televised comments are in sharp contrast with his show of alliance with Washington last week when the U.S. secretary of state visited Afghanistan. Hillary Clinton called on Pakistan to crack down on militants using its territory for attacks into Afghanistan.

India and Afghanistan signed a strategic partnership agreement earlier this month that is aimed at boosting trade, security and cultural links.