External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani. AP, PTI Photo
India will award projects worth $ 300 million to Afghanistan besides enhancing the security cooperation with its north-western neighbour, as the two nations deepened their strategic partnership to deal with the challenge of cross-border terrorism.
The projects include implementation of 116 new schemes in 31 Afghan provinces with high socio-economic impact. In addition, India would support the proposed Shahtoot dam and drinking water project for Kabul as well as building a road to Band-e-Amir in Bamyan province.
The announcements came following extensive talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her her Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani here on Monday.
India agreed to extend further assistance for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces in fighting the scourge of terrorism, organized crime, trafficking of narcotics and money laundering, said the joint statement issued after the meeting.
“We agreed to strengthen security cooperation with India. However, friendship with India doesn't mean hostility in our territory,” said Rabbani.
While the nature of enhanced security cooperation was not disclosed, India in the past supplied military helicopters to Afghanistan besides training their men. The Border Roads Organisation, an agency under the defence ministry also constructed a crucial road in the war-ravaged nation.
"We remain united in overcoming the challenges posed by cross-border terrorism and safe havens and sanctuaries to both our countries. Our strategic partnership is an article of faith," Swaraj said.
None of the minister named Pakistan, but made veiled reference to terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Afghanistan faced a wave of terror attacks in the last few months and the proposed reconciliation and peace process is yet to make any progress.
On the 116 projects, Rabbani said these schemes would help protect the Afghan citizens against recruitment by the terrorists.
Other approved programmes are establishing a water supply network for Charikar city in Parwan; setting up a Gypsum board manufacturing plant in Kabul, building a polyclinic in Mazar-e-Sharif and a low cost housing for Afghan refugees in Nangarhar.
India would also award 500 scholarship to the children of Afghan security personnel, who died in the line of duty. Also 170,000 tons of wheat would be supplied to Afghanistan via Chahbahar port in Iran that offers an alternate access to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.
The two sides inked four pacts, including one on vehicular movement to boost overland transit and orbit frequency coordination agreement for the South Asia satellite.
India has already invested over $ 2 billion in reconstruction of Afghanistan in the last 15 years.