Afghan NSA lauds India's development assistance

Afghan National Security Advisor (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib has appreciated India's role in reconstruction and economic development of war-torn Afghanistan.

His remarks come days after US President Donald Trump ridiculed India for funding a library in Afghanistan.

The Afghan NSA who is on a three-day visit to India since January 3, held talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Friday, where they held a detailed exchange of views about the developments in Afghanistan.

Mohib briefed the Indian side about the security situation in Afghanistan, parliamentary elections and scheduled presidential elections, efforts of the Afghanistan government at peace and reconciliation, read a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The Afghan NSA appreciated the assistance provided by India for economic development and reconstruction of Afghanistan and also for human resource development, including training of Afghan national defence and security forces in India.

NSA Doval, on the other hand, conveyed India's continued support to Afghanistan to bring peace, security and prosperity in the strife-torn country. He mentioned that India supports all efforts for peace and reconciliation that are Afghan owned, Afghan led and Afghan controlled.

"Regional and international partners of Afghanistan need to work keeping in mind the priorities, wishes and desire of the Afghan people. India welcomes the fact that the people of Afghanistan have time and again reposed faith in democratic governance and the forthcoming presidential elections in Afghanistan will further deepen the roots of democracy in the country," the statement said.

Mohib then extended an invitation to NSA Doval to Afghanistan, which was accepted. The dates of the latter's visit would be decided through diplomatic channels.

Notably, India has given development assistance exceeding USD 3 billion to Afghanistan and has immensely contributed in numerous development projects in the war-torn country.