Not keen on interim arrangement in Afghanistan, India tells US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad

With the rapidly developing situation in Afghanistan, India made it clear to US Special Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, who was on his maiden Delhi visit in January after taking charge, that it does not favour any interim arrangements and reminded him about its deep economic and security interests in the south Asian country. 

In the recent Taliban-US talks, there have been discussions over an interim administration and many expect a peace pact to be agreed on. If a pact is made, Kabul might see an interim government.

India while understanding the United States’ eagerness to withdraw from Afghanistan, requested it to safeguard the existing political and constitutional structure.

Zalmay after his New Delhi visit, visited Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan.

India, which is focussing on a number of infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, informed Zalmay that continuation of its projects depends on how the situation evolves in that country.

With a development assistance of $3 billion, India is the largest donor to Afghanistan in the region.It is also connecting Afghanistan via Chabahar Port & the India Afghanistan Air corridor which was launched in 2017. It built the Afghan Parliament and India-Afghan friendship dam in Herat and is currently constructing a 218 km road from Zaranj to Delaram, a 220kV DC transmission line from Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul, and a 220/110/20 kV sub-station at Chimtala.