Nearly a month after US President Donald Trump asked India to enhance its footprint in Afghanistan, the Modi government on Monday kickstarted the process by approving 116 additional development projects across 31 provinces in the war-torn country. New Delhi will also provide assistance to Afghan defence forces, besides extending 500 scholarships to the kin of deceased Afghan soldiers battling Taliban and other terrorist groups.
At the second meeting of the India- Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Council, co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbai here, both countries agreed to step up security cooperation and trade and people to people contacts by relaxing visa regime.
Later, PM Modi, while receiving Rabbani, also reiterated increasing humanitarian and development assistance in an effort to build a peaceful, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan. Rabbani briefed PM Modi on the situation in Afghanistan. "The prime minister reiterated India's strong support to Afghanistan in fighting terrorism imposed on that country and its people," a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) stated.
Earlier, after the Strategic Partnership Council meeting, Rabbani said "India has agreed to provide assistance to Afghan national defence forces", but didn't elaborate it further. India already has donated three multi-role Mi-35 helicopters to Afghanistan, and is imparting training to Afghan security forces and police personnel.
Rabbani also asked New Delhi to expedite development of the strategic Chahbahar port in Iran to bolster a trade route. The port would allow India to transport goods to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan. Rabbani also asked India to expand an air freight corridor — introduced between the two countries in June — to provide greater access for Afghan goods to the Indian market.
Swaraj, who hosted Rabbani in New Delhi, told reporters that India and Afghanistan jointly agreed to embark on a "new development partnership" in keeping with Afghanistan's priorities.
She said the new development projects would involve building a drinking water supply system for Kabul, low-cost housing for returning refugees, a water supply network for Charikar city, and a polyclinic in Mazar-e-Sharif.
Without naming Pakistan, Rabbani said Afghanistan's friendship with India does not mean hostility towards other countries in its neighbourhood. Swaraj said: "India remains united in overcoming the challenges posed by cross-border terrorism and safe havens and sanctuaries to both our countries. We support national peace and reconciliation in an atmosphere free from violence and within the framework of Afghanistan's Constitution." Swaraj also said that both ministers jointly agreed to embark on a New Development Partnership in keeping with the priorities of Afghanistan and the main focus will continue on building governance and democratic institutions; human resource capacity and skill development." Both countries also signed Motors Vehicle Agreement to pave the way for overland transit. India will also supply wheat to Afghanistan in the coming weeks via Chabahar port.
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