Indian PM backs Afghan peace talks

KABUL: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday backed efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan through negotiations with Taliban-led rebels, delivering a keynote address to the parliament in Kabul.

India has previously been wary of President Hamid Karzai's policy of talking to the insurgents as it fears that Afghanistan could come under control of a Taliban-influenced government friendly to archrival Pakistan.

"Afghanistan has embarked upon a process of national reconciliation. We wish you well in this enterprise," said Singh, who was given the rare opportunity for a foreign leader to address parliament.

He said that Afghan MPs should make decisions about the country's future "without outside interference". "India will respect the choices you make," he said. "Our only interest is to see a stable, peaceful and independent Afghanistan living in peace with its neighbours."