What Is India’s Current Relationship With Afghanistan? Centre Responds (twitter.com/DrSJaishankar)
When the current status of India”s relationship with Afghanistan is enquired in Lok Sabha, in the ongoing Parliament Winter session, Centre government responded that India”s approach to Afghanistan remained to be guided by its historical relations, friendship with its people and relevant UN Resolutions.” India’s stance in regard to recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is in consonance with that of the international community,” the government said. As August 15, 2023 marked two years of Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the question is pertinent to India for being a neighbouring country and also sharing historical and civilizational ties with them.
In response to a starred question raised by Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy leader of the Lok Sabha, and Mahesh Sahoo, Biju Janata Dal MP, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar responded on Friday, that since June 2022, an Indian technical team positioned in the Embassy in Kabul is “active in respect of humanitarian assistance and other situations.” Understanding the deplorable situation of Afghan people, India has supplied 50,000 MTs of Wheat, 250 tons of medical aid, and 28 tons of earthquake relief aid, and these consignments were handed over to the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH) and Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS).
Besides, government adds, the country has supplied 11,000 units of hygiene kits, baby food, blankets, clothing, medical aid and other miscellaneous items to the the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Afghanistan to give aid for the welfare of Afghan drug user population, particularly women.
Similarly, in the field of education, through Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship scheme, India granted admission to 600 Afghan girls, and to enable accessible educational opportunities to students residing in Afghanistan, ICCR has began online scholarship scheme through e-Viday Bharti portal, where 30% admission were given to female students. Furthermore, by continuing its association with the Afghan National Agricultural Science and Technical University (ANASTU) India is providing online scholarships for Afghan students in agro- fields. Trade and commerce partnership between India and Afghanistan is also sustaining, Minister added.
With regarding diplomatic relations, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in New Delhi and the Consulates of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Mumbai and Hyderabad carry on functioning in India.
“During the past two years, some Afghan diplomats have left India since they obtained residency in third countries. However, the remaining Afghan diplomats based in India have taken over the responsibility for the continued diplomatic functioning of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” the minister added.
External Affairs Minister also added that India”s technical team in Kabul is supervising the development of more than five hundred projects in the areas of power, water supply, road connectivity, healthcare, education, agriculture and capacity building.
