Washington: The war-torn country Afghanistan seeks a strategic partnership with India since it is responsible aid provider to Afghanistan said Trump administration recently.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells speaking at the Congressional hearing on Afghanistan told the lawmakers that Indian has played an important role in hosting the business conference in order to be a launching pad for those firms interested in investing in Afghanistan, PTI reported.
“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,” Ms Wells said.
Adding that “The Afghan government welcomes that assistance. And the Afghan government welcomes and seeks a strategic partnership with India.”
Since the US has previously worked with India on Afghanistan, it is looking forward to India having a strategic partnership with Afghanistan.
Responding to lawmakers, Ms. Wells 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.”
Earlier, Trump in his new South Asia strategy in August last year had sought a major role for India in bringing peace in Afghanistan along with accusing Pakistan of giving “safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror.”
He also said then that the time had come “for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace.”