Russia, India back Afghan control handover

Russia and India have said they back handing security affairs over to Afghanistan, putting Kabul in charge of its own security forces. In a joint statement on Friday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urged Afghanistan to “build up efforts” to boost its security forces. The second phase of a transfer program that will see NATO-led International Security Assistance Force leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014 began on December 1. The first phase began in July. Medvedev and Singh also called for dialogue between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Taliban fighters but said that it should be held under Afghan control. They leaders also urged the Taliban to end violence and sever its ties with al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.