Kabul: Welcoming the additional economic, medical and civic support from New Delhi to Kabul, the Pentagon has told the United States Congress that India is Afghanistan’s “most reliable regional partner”.
The Pentagon in its report to the Congress titled ‘Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan’, stated that, “India is Afghanistan’s most reliable regional partner and the largest contributor of development assistance in the region,” reported Afghan’s news agency Khaama Press.
This assistance includes civil development projects such as the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam and the Afghan parliament building, the report added.
According to the Pentagon, India provides significant training opportunities for Afghan officers and enlisted personnel. Approximately 130 Afghans travel to India each year to attend various military academy and commissioning programs.
Earlier, on December 5, a batch of female officers of the Afghanistan’s air force and military left for India for training purpose.
“India has also donated limited security assistance, most notably four Mi-35 aircraft,” the report said.
On that note, India has played a vital role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime and has invested over USD 2 billion in various projects.(ANI)