DUSHANBE, August 9, Asia-Plus – newKerala.com – Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov says the US-led campaign in Afghanistan had failed to end terrorism or narcotic trafficking emanating from that country, India’s newKerala.com news agency reported.

"Despite the measures taken by the Afghan government and the coalition led by the US, the situation is unresolved. The situation is complex," visiting Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov said at a seminar in New Delhi organized by Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA).  He said the socio-political base of Taliban is "still alive and capable of destabilizing the country.  Al-Qaida has not been destroyed and the country (Afghanistan) is awash with weapon while the influence of the central and local authorities is weak."  Describing drug-trafficking emanating from Afghanistan as "one of the main threats to stability in the world and Central Asia", Rahmonov said the narcotic trade sustains international terrorism, extremism and criminality.

"The Afghan factor poses threats to the region," he said adding "it is abundantly clear that united efforts are needed for the post-conflict management  of Afghanistan as well as in economic reconstruction, strengthening of structures of government and maintenance of security and stability," he said.

The Tajik leader said the long-term success in the struggle against terrorism and religious extremism would depend on the resolution of the root causes of the problem, which include socio-economic issues besides negative tendencies.

"Unfortunately, today we are compelled to assert that international efforts for suppression of narcotic aggression starting from Afghanistan are inadequate and ineffective," Rahmonov said.

He said "despite the actions of the international anti-terrorist coalition, the producers  and manufacturers of drugs in Afghanistan have not decreased, on the contrary it has almost tripled." The Tajik President said economic integration can be a powerful force for steady economic growth of region and contribute in the reduction of poverty.

Tajikistan is well poised to become an important transport link connecting countries of Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) with the economically-powerful and fast-growing regions of South, East Asia and South Asia, he said.  He said Central Asia today presents real opportunities for cooperation and India has a major place in this endeavor.