Washington Heaps Praise On India’s $1 Billion Aid For Afghanistan

The US wasted no time in heaping praise on India’s renewed ties with Afghanistan following President Ashraf Ghani commending India’s solid support in fighting terrorism and development work.

Washington sent support feelers to India in the run-up to the trilateral talks between the three countries in New York later this month – a move that might be eyed with a lot of belligerance by Pakistan.

India won Washington’s backing in return for its “generosity and focus” in extending a hand to Afghanistan’s development.

India had pledged $1 billion for the support and development of “a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan” during Ghani’s recent visit to New Delhi. The President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also renewed their commitment to counter terrorism and strengthen security and defence ties.

This is how Washington expressed its praise and support for India:

1. “We obviously support India’s generosity and focus on Afghanistan and willingness to help Afghanistan become a stronger, independent nation with stronger economic growth, as well as build capacity to defend itself and provide for the security of its people,” said US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner.

2. “The fact that India is willing to invest in that future - we view as a very positive sign and we appreciate India’s effort.”

3. On India’s inclusion in the transit agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan brokered by the US in 2010, Toner said: “I would just say, speaking broadly, that we would support stronger trade relations within the region.

4. “And we’ve long said that it’s a priority for the US at least, but it should be a priority for the countries in the region to all work cooperatively and constructively together.”

With inputs from IANS.