India reiterates support to Afghanistan
New Delhi has gifted Afghanistan with consignments of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol tablets to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
By IAR Desk
KABUL– India has reiterated it’s support to Afghanistan and the Afghan peace process. On Monday, August 3, 2020 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with Afghan president Ashraf Ghani where he conveyed Eid greetings and also India’s resolve to stand by Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to the people of Afghanistan in their quest for a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Afghanistan. The two leaders also exchanged views on the evolving security situation in the region and other areas of mutual bilateral interest.
The Taliban earlier this year signed a peace agreement with the US which calls for intra-Afghan talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government together with other major Afghan stakeholders. In return US had pledged to reduce troop numbers in Afghanistan to 8,600 by mid-July, a reduction that has already been achieved.
President Ghani thanked Prime Minister Modi for timely supply of food and medical assistance to meet Afghan requirement.
New Delhi has gifted Afghanistan with consignments of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol tablets to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 12, New Delhi shipped the first consignment of 5,022 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat to Kabul to ensure food security during COVID-19 pandemic
Same day Indian Ambassador to Kabul Mr. Vinay Kumar affirmed India’s commitments to Afghanistan at a meeting he had with Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Haneef Atmar.
Minister Atmar and Ambassador Kumar reflected on the importance of the ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban during Eid and saw it as a positive step towards establishing lasting peace in the country.
Ambassador Kumar and Minister Atmar also discussed other important issues such as the upcoming Consultative Loya Jirga, the importance of further strengthening regional consensus on the Afghan peace process, the need for an immediate start of negotiations between Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Indian assistance to Afghanistan to aid in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ambassador Kumar also reiterated the Indian government’s continued commitment to Afghanistan. The Minister expressed appreciation for Indian support and reiterated the commitment of the Afghan government towards further expanding and strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.
India has invested close to $3 billion for Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development and capacity building of Afghans, making it Kabul’s largest regional donor. It has consistently called for an ‘Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled peace processp.
