India is here to stay: Swaraj promises cooperation on Afghanistan visit

Kabul: “India is here to stay,” External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today assured Afghanistan as she conveyed the new government’s resolve to work “hand-in- hand” with the war-torn country by providing all possible assistance, including in key areas of defence and security. As Afghanistan enters a new phase in its transition, Swaraj during her talks with President Hamid Karzai conveyed that India was Afghanistan’s first strategic partner and will help Afghanistan meet challenges of stability and security as the countdown begins for the drawdown of NATO forces. “This is a critical decade of transformation for Afghanistan. India will always be Afghanistan’s first strategic partner. And we will always share the Afghan people’s vision of a strong, independent, united and prosperous Afghanistan for which so many Afghans sacrificed so much,” Swaraj, who arrived here on a day-long visit, said. [caption id=“attachment_1657325” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj. PTI image[/caption] “India is prepared to do whatever is possible, within our capacities and our means, to work with the Afghan Government and its peoples to realise this great vision,” she said. “India is here to stay,” she while inaugurating a new $40 million Indian Embassy building here. Afghan officials said both the countries decided to ramp up security cooperation and India has agreed to consider Afghanistan’s request for supply of military hardware. In the meeting with Karzai, Afghan side mentioned to Swaraj about a weapon ‘wish list’ provided earlier and the External Affairs minister said India will consider it seriously. Afghanistan has been pressing India for supplying military hardware to strengthen its security set up in view of drawdown of NATO forces at the end of this year. Swaraj’s visit also assumes significance as it comes amid rising fears of the reemergence of the Taliban and other al-Qaeda linked elements in the country following withdrawal of NATO forces. Afghan officials described Swaraj’s meeting with Karzai as “very very successful” and expressed confidence that with India’s assistance the country will be able to face the threat of terrorism. During her talks with Foreign Minister Zarar Osmani, Afghan side requested India to expand its reconstruction activities. India has invested $2 billion in aid and reconstruction and trained scores of Afghan officers. PTI