India Monday said it won’t leave the war-torn Afghanistan unless asked by Kabul.
New Delhi, Nov 18/Nationalturk – Expressing his country’s continuous support to strife torn Afghanistan, India Monday said it won’t leave the war-torn country unless asked by Kabul.
“India has greatest confidence in Afghanistan’s potential. We will continue to extend all help and cooperation to Afghanistan,” Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said while addressing a conference on Afghanistan in Indian capital.
Reiterating continued support to Afghanistan, he said, “We stand by you and promise you our constant support. When you suffer, we also suffer with you. When you rejoice, we also rejoice””.
He said unlike others, India does not have any exit policy. “We are not going to leave Afghanistan unless the government wants us to go. As long as Afghan wants us to be there, we will be there”.
India has been involved in about $2 billion worth development projects in Afghanistan. Indian government has a cordial relationship with Hamid Karzai’s government in Kabul.
Indian mission in Afghanistan has been targeted many times by militants of Taliban and Haqqani group. Besides, some Indian citizens working on developmental projects in Afghanistan have been killed by the militants.
Arch-rivals and nuclear foes, India and Pakistan have long vied for power and influence in Afghanistan. Many see their struggle intensifying after the departure of coalition forces led by US by the end of 2014.
‘Indian business sees huge opportunities in Afghanistan’s stability’
Referring to trade with Kabul, Khurshid said Indian business saw huge opportunities in Afghanistan’s stability.
“Indian business sees enormous opportunity in Afghanistan’s stability. We are looking forward to the future gains of Afghanistan becoming the major stepping stone to connect to Central Asia and beyond into Europe,” he said.
Indian Foreign minister said Afghanistan needs to take some concrete steps to harness enormous business potential of the country.
Afghanistan’s Finance Minister Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal also spoke on the occasion.
Write your comments and thoughts below
Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News
Yes, it is an abolsutely right thing for India to do. Afghanistan, in the post-occulation period beginning 2014, must be considered a key country by China, India and Russia for security in Central Asia, linkage to the Middle East and for exploitation of oil, gas and other natural reserves that the Eurasin land mass requires. Of the three, India has the least capabilities but it is the only one of the three that Afghans trust. It is this “trust:” on which India must build its goodwill and make the Russians and Chinese realize the role Indianc an play in securing their backyards.