New Delhi: The presidential election is looming large, speculations are rife about the exit strategy of the NATO troops and the Talibans are indecisive about coming to the negotiating table. A lot of things are happening in Afghanistan today and the world is watching with a view of understanding their consequences in shaping the future of Afghanistan. The Afghans, according to Ambassador Vivek Kajtu, must be allowed to decide for themselves and the world should continue to help the country.

The former Indian Ambassadorto Afghanistan was speaking in his keynote address in the one day international seminar Changing Scenario in Afghanistan: Implications for South Asia held in South Asian University, New Delhi. Distinguished academicians, senior journalists and intellectuals from Afghanistan, Europe, India, Nepal and Pakistan participated in the seminar that analysed the upcoming presidential election, choices before the Taliban, the role of US and NATO and the foreign policies of India and Pakistan, among other things.

Opening the seminar, Prof. GK Chadha, the President of South Asian University, stressed upon the need to reorient the economy of Afghanistan to address issues concerning the poor, and ensure healthy restructuring of the Afghan society through domestic wisdom and political vision.

Some of the prominent speakers at the seminar include Dr Eva Gross from EU Institute for Strategic Studies, Lt. General PK Singh from the United Service Institute of India, Prof. Gulshan Sachdeva from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr. Suba Chandran from IPCS and senior journalist Bharat Bhushan.

Supported by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the seminar was organised by the Department of International Relations, SAU.