New Delhi/Kabul: Indian and Afghan leaders held a virtual summit on Tuesday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, and foreign ministers of both the countries and senior officials were present in the summit. At this time, the Indian Prime Minister expressed concerns over Afghanistan’s growing violence and appealed for a ceasefire. Simultaneously, the Prime Minister also assured that India would contribute fully to Afghanistan’s development. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the dam to be built by India in Afghanistan was also signed during the summit.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and Afghanistan desire that the region be free from terrorism. Every Afghan citizen from Badakhshan to Nimroz and Herat to Kandahar is firmly standing with India. India will always get the support of the resolve and patience of the Afghan people. The Prime Minister also expressed confidence that no one can stop the friendships between India and Afghanistan and the development in Afghanistan.
While warning about terrorism, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani pointed out that it must be remembered while countering terrorism that there is an entire system behind it and not an individual or an organisation. He also claimed that a sovereign and united Afghanistan is important for a stable and prosperous South Asia. At this time, the MoU regarding the Shatoot Dam Project built by India in Afghanistan was also signed. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammed Hamir Atmar signed the MoU. As per the MoU, India will be building a dam near Kabul’s Afghan capital and the water in the dam will be supplied to the residents of Kabul. This project is considered to be a part of the financial assistance by India for development in Afghanistan. India has provided financial assistance to the tune of $3 billion to Afghanistan. Last year, in November, India announced a provision of $80 million for 100 projects in Afghanistan.
It has been revealed that, two days ago, India supplied five hundred thousand doses of Coronavirus vaccine to Afghanistan. The Covishield vaccine doses developed by Serum Institute of India, have been supplied to Afghanistan and Afghan sources informed that the vaccination would start after obtaining a sanction from the World Health Organisation. Afghanistan has expressed gratitude for the Indian gesture. Pakistan is expressing concerns that India’s cooperation to Afghanistan will result in increased Indian influence in Afghanistan.
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