At the sidelines of the first India-Central Asia Dialogue, held from January 12-13, 2019 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, External Affairs Minister of India, Sushma Swaraj, met with Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Salahuddin Rabbani. They exchanged views on the dynamics of the peace talks in Afghanistan, the country’s leadership and the ownership of the peace processes and regional cooperation.
This meeting took place against the backdrop of the visit of Hamdullah Mohib (Afghan National Security Advisory) and Zalmay Khalilzad (US Special Representative of Afghanistan) to New Delhi. The aspects of economic development and reconstruction of Afghanistan as well as enhancing connectivity have emerged as important components of engagement and partnership between both countries.
During the meeting, Swaraj reiterated India’s support of Afghanistan’s government and people, in their efforts to build a country that is democratic, sovereign, united, stable, peaceful, inclusive and prosperous. The gains of the past 18 years need to be preserved by ending the terror and violence imposed upon the people of Afghanistan. She also reiterated the critical need for all peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan to be “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled,” based on strengthened territorial integrity.
In October 2011, the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) was signed between both countries to aid with the rebuilding of infrastructure and institutions in Afghanistan as well as indigenous capacity in education, technical areas etc. The Agreement also aimed to encourage investment in Afghanistan’s natural resources, provide duty-free access to Indian markets for Afghan exports and support an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, broad-based and inclusive process of peace and reconciliation, thereby advocating the need for a sustained and long-term commitment to Afghanistan by the international community. Currently, over 3,500 Afghan nationals receive education and training in India annually.
Currently, India extends development assistance, valued over USD 3 billion, to Afghanistan. This is geared towards infrastructure development, reconstruction, connectivity, capacity-building and human resources development. The “New Development Partnership” was launched in September 2017, under which new projects are being implemented. This includes infrastructure development projects like the Shahtoot Dam drinking water project in Kabul, low-cost housing in Nangarhar etc.
India and Afghanistan have made attempts to boost bilateral trade, despite the restrictive Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA). This blocks the free movement of commodities even as India is the largest regional market for Afghan products. Th Dedicated Air Cargo Corridor that was inaugurated between Kandahar-Delhi and Kabul-Delhi in June 2017 provided fresh impetus to bilateral trade. The Zaranj-Delaram road was built in Afghanistan by India to boost economic relations by offering Afghanistan another outlet to a seaport. The Chabahar port in Iran is another attempt to capitalise on this road and offer a new transit route.
India, Afghanistan and Iran have made joint efforts to develp the Chabahar port in Iran as a viable route of connectivity to Afghanistan and potentially Central Asia. This port is a shining illustration of the achievement of strong partnerships. Already, a vast quantity of wheat has been sent from India to Afghanistan via the Chabahar port. In December 2018, an Indian company opened its office and took over operations at the Shaheed Beheshti port in Chabahar. India is also looking to develop the Chabahar-Zahedan railway link that could bring it closer to the Zaranj-Delaram road link in Afghanistan.
Thus, strengthened economic relations between India and Afghanistan, continued bilateral development cooperation as well as regular high-level political engagement have consolidated the historical and cultural links of both countries, especially in a period of security and governance transition. India has championed efforts to attract regional and trans-regional investment in Afghanistan for all major actors to have a stake in the country’s stability and prosperity, thereby providing economic opportunities an alternative to the dominant narrative of extremism. India is committed to promote sustainable development in Afghanistan via long-term investments by both the public and private sector.
India Outbound
January 15, 2019
source https://indiaoutbound.org/india-afghanistan-relations-within-india-central-asia-dialogue/
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