Lok Sabha Question No. 5013 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: Political Development in Afghanistan
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWERED ON- 31/03/2023

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-5013

## POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN AFGHANISTAN

## 5013. SHRI T.R. BAALU

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS  be pleased to state :-

(a) whether the recent political developments in Afghanistan culminating in a change of regime have caused serious setbacks to the efforts made by India in strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries through huge financial assistance and other supports;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the assistance extended to Afghanistan during the last three years;

(c) whether it is a fact that India has been kept out of the ongoing international dialogues pertaining to Afghanistan because of the pressure of certain countries since the current regime in Afghanistan is not favourably disposed towards India; and

(d) if so, the manner in which India is planning its response to the emerging scenario to restore friendly equations with Afghanistan and ensure its diplomatic importance in the region?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a & b) India has historical and civilizational ties with Afghanistan. India's development partnership with Afghanistan includes more than five hundred projects spread across each of the 34 provinces of the country in critical areas of power, water supply, road connectivity, healthcare, education, agriculture and capacity building.

Post August 2021, with changes in the political regime, India's approach to Afghanistan continues to be guided by its historical relations and friendship with the people of Afghanistan.  In view of the deteriorating   humanitarian   situation,   it   was   decided   to   assist   Afghan   people   by   supplying humanitarian assistance. In this endeavor, India has supplied several shipments of humanitarian assistance consisting of 40,000 MTs of wheat, 80 tons of medicines and 28 tons of earthquake relief aid. These consignments were handed over to  the United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH) and Afghan Red Crescent Society. Furthermore, India has also partnered with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to fight the drug menace in Afghanistan and in this regard, provided 1100 units of humanitarian assistance kits to UNODC consisting of blankets and female hygiene kits.

(c   &   d)  Post   August   2021,   Government   of   India   has   actively   engaged   with   the   international community and relevant stakeholders on issues related to regional stability and security, especially with focus on Afghanistan. Prime Minister participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)- Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Outreach Summit (September 2021) and G-20 Extraordinary Summit (October 2021) on Afghanistan.

In January 2022, India hosted the first India-Central Asia Summit with the participation of the Presidents of the Central Asian Republics. During the meeting, the leaders reiterated their strong support for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan with an inclusive and representative Government. The leaders also decided to establish a Joint Working Group on Afghanistan at official level.

Furthermore, External Affairs Minister participated in the virtual conference on Afghanistan, coconvened  by   the   US   and   Germany   and   the   High   Level   event   on   humanitarian   situation   in Afghanistan organized by UNHCR in September 2021.

In November 2021, India hosted the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue which was attended by the National Security Advisors of India, Iran, Russia and the 5 Central Asian Republics. An outcome document 'Delhi Declaration' was issued which enlisted India's security concern and reiterated that Afghan soil should not be used for any terrorist activity.

India also participated in the third and the fourth round of Moscow Format Talks on Afghanistan held in Moscow in 2021 and 2022.  Recently, on March 07, 2023, India hosted the India-Central Asia   Joint   Working   Group   (JWG)   on   Afghanistan   which   was   also   attended   by   the   Country Representatives of UNWFP and UNODC in Afghanistan.

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