India welcomes Afghanistan extension of 'ceasefire' with Taliban

New Delhi, Jun 18: India has welcomed the decision of Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani to announce extension of 'ceasefire' with Taliban in Afghanistan.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Sunday said in response to a question from media that that this gesture would be reciprocated by armed groups and their supporters with complete cessation of terrorist violence.

"We welcome the decision of President Ghani to announce ceasefire and its extension. We hope this gesture would be reciprocated by armed groups and their supporters with complete cessation of terrorist violence," Mr Kumar said.

He said India supports all efforts that can bring relief to the long suffering of the friendly people of Afghanistan; pave the way for a truly "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace and reconciliation process" in an atmosphere free from terror and violence.

This should also help build a peaceful, secure, inclusive, prosperous, united and pluralistic Afghan nation, the spokesperson added.

President Ghani had announced a unilateral, nine-day extension of ceasefire in the terrorism-hit nation.

The Taliban on Sunday has, however, rejected the offer from the Afghan government to extend the ceasefire.

The United States and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had backed the earlier three-day ceasefire adhered to by the Taliban and the Afghan government during Eid.