India's engagement in Afghanistan has true potential, say Afghan scholars

New Delhi, Mar. 28 (ANI): Ties between India and Afghanistan are historic. The two countries have enjoyed friendly ties since ages and India continues to rebuild Afghanistan, says a book written by scholars and diplomats from South Asia .

The book titled 'India and South Asia: exploring regional cooperation', written by scholars from the region, including Afghanistan, talks about India's role in the war-ravaged nation. The book is edited by Vishal Chandra of the IDSA

Narrating New Delhi's engagement with the war-ravaged nation, the contributors have pointed out that India is a reliable partner as it undertakes various development activities in their country. India has been the largest regional provider of humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Afghanistan. Many Indians are working in various construction projects as part of New Delhi's rebuilding efforts in Kabul.

Afghanistan has been passing through a transitional period and maintaining peace and stability has been the biggest challenge for the country.

The Afghan scholars believe that the gradual withdrawal of western forces present an opportunity for India, Afghanistan and Pakistan to work collectively for the betterment of the region.

A contributor from Afghanistan is Shah Mahmud Mia Khel. He is currently the director of United States Institute of peace in Kabul and he was earlier Deputy Minister in Afghanistan

Mia Khel has looked at Afghanistan from the point of view of India-Pakistan relationship and he argues that the withdrawal of western forces from Afghanistan has created opportunity for the three countries , Afghanistan, Pakistan and India , to try and work together for the common betterment of the people of our region

Vishal Chandra, Associate Fellow Research, IDSA, has emphasized on the need for " younger leadership, younger leadership with a vision for development for our region to come together .... India enjoys goodwill of the Afghan people. Therefore, there is a growing view that India needs to play a more active role in Afghanistan."

"Afghans feel that India needs to remain engaged and India needs to do more in terms of capacity building programmes. They appreciate the kind of assistance that we have we have been providing to Afghanistan since 2001 and interestingly there is enough consensus within India that we have to remain engaged in Afghanistan and from time to time we have made it clear that we do not have any exit option," said Chandra.

"We would certainly like to partner with the Afghan people and the wider international community in rebuilding the capacities of Afghanistan," he added.

The book is the final outcome of annual South Asia conference conducted by IDSA.