New Delhi, October 10 (IANS): India on Friday reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development, announcing new initiatives in healthcare, public infrastructure, and capacity-building to support the war-torn nation’s recovery.
The decision came during a high-level meeting between External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi, where both leaders discussed key bilateral and regional issues.
According to a Joint Statement, India expressed readiness to assist in rebuilding residential structures in earthquake-affected areas of Afghanistan and to continue its humanitarian and development partnership with the Afghan people.
🇮🇳 India Expands Healthcare Cooperation
As a special gesture of friendship, India gifted 20 ambulances to Afghanistan following the meeting.
Under the ongoing healthcare collaboration, India is supporting multiple projects, including:
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Establishment of a Thalassemia Centre and a Modern Diagnostic Centre
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Replacement of the heating system at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH) in Kabul
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Construction of a 30-bed hospital in Kabul’s Bagrami district
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Setting up an Oncology Centre, a Trauma Centre, and five Maternity Health Clinics in Paktika, Khost, and Paktia provinces
India has also successfully fitted 75 prosthetic limbs for Afghan nationals, a move widely appreciated both domestically and internationally.
Humanitarian and Educational Support
EAM Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to providing food grains, school supplies, disaster relief materials, and pesticides as part of its ongoing humanitarian programmes.
In the education sector, India continues to offer scholarships under the e-ICCR scheme, with more opportunities for Afghan students to pursue higher education in Indian universities being considered.
Boost to Trade and Connectivity
The two sides welcomed the launch of the India-Afghanistan Air Freight Corridor, expected to strengthen direct trade and commerce between both countries.
Afghanistan also invited Indian investments in the mining sector, recognising India’s role in driving economic partnerships. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate on hydroelectric projects, including sustainable management of the India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam (Salma Dam) in Herat.
Shared Commitment Against Terrorism
During the talks, Jaishankar thanked Afghanistan for condemning the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and both sides jointly reaffirmed their stand against terrorism.
“The Afghan government reiterated that no group or individual will be allowed to use Afghanistan’s soil against India,” the Joint Statement said, underscoring a shared vision for peace, stability, and mutual trust in the region.
Cultural and Sports Ties
The discussions also touched on enhancing people-to-people connections, including cooperation in sports—especially cricket—and cultural exchanges to strengthen bilateral relations.
A Partnership Rooted in Trust
Reaffirming India’s historic and cultural bond with Afghanistan, Jaishankar said that India remains committed to supporting the Afghan people’s aspirations for peace, prosperity, and self-reliance.
