http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125061548456340511.htmlKabul, May 12 (IBNS): Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on a visit to Afghanistan on Thursday offered a $500 million aid package to Kabul, promising "firm and unwavering” support to the war-torn country.
The Prime Minister also strongly backed Afghan plans of reconciliation with Taliban-led insurgents in a hope to bring an end to the war, voicing New Delhi's first public support to the strategy which it had initially been wary off.
Concerns were raised in India when Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s plan to reach out to the Taliban fighters was first approved by United States and NATO earlier this year after 10 years of war, amid fears that it would give rival Pakistan a greater say in the peace process.
But Thursday’s announcements could stroke apprehensions in Pakistan of India’s growing influence in Afghanistan, in wake of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden’s killing that has already rocked its reputation in the region and ties with the US.
“We wish to see a peaceful, stable, democratic, pluralistic Afghanistan. We strongly support Afghan people's quest at peace and reconciliation. India supports firmly the unity, integrity and prosperity of Afghanistan,” Singh told Karzai in Kabul on Thursday.
After over two decades without sway on a Taliban-ruled Kabul, India was quick to establish diplomatic relations with the new democratic government followed by the 2001 invasion led by the US that ousted the acutely Pakistan-allied regime.
India already has extended $1.5 billion in for the strife-torn nation’s development, but with his second visit in six years and fresh aid announcements backed by strong-worded support, PM Singh seemed to boost the ties with Kabul, which Pakistan already sees as too cosy.
“India’s development assistance commitment is approximately $1.5 billion, but there are still gaps. We now have a better idea of where we can do more… We have made a fresh commitment of $500 million over the next few years,” Singh said at a press conference.
Areas of fresh injection would mostly include social programmes, agriculture and infrastructure that will come over and above existing projects like building a parliament and a highway to Iran to establish New Delhi’s "soft power" in the poverty-stricken country.
At a joint-media interaction Singh also raised concerns over the killing of Osama bin Laden deep within Pakistan, calling for an inquiry into the roots that the al Qaeda chief might have had inside country.
However, he ruled out a covert operation, like the US’, to hunt down India’s most wanted militant figureheads who too are believed to be lodged in Pakistan, in a move that could somewhat soothe tensions between the two nations that seemingly spiked after the incident on May 2.
But Singh raised concerns over the foiled attack on the Indian Consul General in Jalalabad where two people were arrested by Afghan authorities with reportedly Pakistan currency, saying that the incident was “worrisome”.
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Topic: India Ups Aid To Afghanistan By $500 Millions (Read 720 times)