US praises India over providing aid to Afghanistan

NewsBharati    21-Jun-2018
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Washington, June 21: When it comes to humanity, the whole world bows its head in front of India. Bowing its head in front of India on Wednesday, the United States lauded the efforts of New Delhi in providing aid to Afghanistan.

 

Notably, a key official in the Trump administration Alice Wells said, “India is a responsible aid provider to Afghanistan and the war-torn country seeks a strategic partnership with it.” During a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells told lawmakers that India has played an important role in hosting business conferences so that firms interested in investing in Afghanistan can use India as a launching pad.

Alice further said, "We see India's support to Afghanistan as very important. They are a responsible aid provider. They have pledged USD 3 billion in assistance through 2020.” “The Afghan government welcomes that assistance and Afghan government seeks a strategic partnership with India,” she added.

Informing about the joint work done by US and India for Afghanistan, Alice said, "We do joint training programmes, USAID, some of its training programmes are conducted in India. We have a trilateral with Indian officials and Afghan officials to coordinate our efforts, and make sure that we're lashed up in the development approach and diplomatic approach.”

Importantly, this is not the first time when the US appreciated India’s effort in providing aid for Afghanistan. In February this year, US showered praises on India over its positive and development role in Afghanistan, adding the New Delhi has pledged an additional developmental aid in the war-torn country.

In August last year, President Donald Trump in his new South Asia strategy had sought a major role for India in bringing peace in Afghanistan. He had also accused Pakistan of giving safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror and said the time had come "for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace".