India Bats For Afghanistan’s Economic Recovery, Deepens Engagement In Development Projects | India News

NEW DELHI: India on Friday announced to further deepen its participation in development cooperation projects in Afghanistan, especially in the health, public infrastructure and capacity building sectors, keeping in mind the war-torn country’s urgent need for economic recovery and development.

In the Joint Statement issued after the meeting of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and Afghan Foreign Minister Maulavi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi, it was stated that India also expressed its willingness to assist the Afghan government in the reconstruction of residential buildings in the earthquake-affected areas.

Both sides discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest as well as important regional developments.

During the discussions, EAM Jaishankar reiterated India’s long-standing friendship with the Afghan people and underlined the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties connecting the two countries. He conveyed that India remains committed to supporting the aspirations and development needs of the Afghan people.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his condolences for the loss of life caused by the recent devastating earthquake in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces; Muttaqi, on the other hand, appreciated India’s role as the first responder to the disaster and the delivery of relief materials.

As a special gesture, India gifted 20 ambulances to the Afghan people in a symbolic handover ceremony by EAM after meeting with the Afghan Foreign Minister.

“As part of India’s ongoing health cooperation with Afghanistan, many projects are being carried out, including the establishment of a Thalassemia Center, a Modern Diagnostic Center and the replacement of the heating system of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH) in Kabul. Additionally, India will build a 30-bed hospital, an Oncology Center and a Trauma Center in the Bagrami district of Kabul. In Kabul and Pktika, Khost and Paktia provinces five Maternity Health Clinics. Approximately 75 prosthetic limbs have been successfully fitted to Afghan citizens, which has been highly appreciated by both the Afghan government and the international community. The India-Afghanistan Joint Statement also stated that India will continue to provide medical assistance and provide high quality healthcare to Afghan citizens.

The two sides also reviewed the progress of India’s humanitarian programs for Afghanistan, which include the supply of food grains, social support materials, school stationery, disaster relief materials and pesticides.

“The External Affairs Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to continue such assistance. The External Affairs Minister expressed appreciation to the Government of India for its comprehensive and generous humanitarian support, including the provision of significant material assistance to meet the urgent needs of forcibly repatriated refugees in Afghanistan,” the statement said. The statement was included.

“In the area of ​​capacity building, India continues to offer scholarships to Afghan students under the e-ICCR scholarship programme. Other avenues for Afghan students to study in Indian universities under ICCR and other scholarship programs are being actively considered,” he added.

Both sides welcomed the launch of the India-Afghanistan Air Cargo Corridor, which will further increase direct trade and commerce between the two countries. The new corridor is expected to facilitate connectivity and increase bilateral trade. The Afghan side invited Indian companies to invest in the mining sector, which will help strengthen bilateral trade and commercial relations.

“Appreciating India’s assistance in the construction and maintenance of the India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam (Salma Dam) in Herat, both sides underlined the importance of sustainable water management and agreed to cooperate on hydropower projects to meet Afghanistan’s energy needs and support its agricultural development,” the Joint Statement said. statements were included.

During the talks, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar expressed deep appreciation to Afghanistan for its strong condemnation of the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and also for the sincere condolences and solidarity expressed with the people and Government of India. Both sides firmly condemned all terrorist acts originating from countries in the region and underlined the importance of promoting peace, stability and mutual trust in the region.

“Both sides emphasized respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Foreign Minister appreciated the Afghan side’s understanding of India’s security concerns. The Afghan Foreign Minister reiterated the Afghan government’s determination that it will not allow any group or individual to use Afghan territory against India.”

The two sides also discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in sports, especially cricket, to promote cultural interaction.