Noting that Afghanistan was going through a very critical phase in which it was “going from dependency to self-reliance”, the country’s ambassador here, Shaida Mohammad Abdali, said on Monday that Kabul had secured commitments for training and equipping its security forces from many countries, “including India”.
Addressing members of the Indian Association of Foreign Affairs Correspondents here days before the official visit of President Hamid Karzai, the ambassador said the Afghan security forces had already taken charge of 75 per cent of the country from the US and Nato. “We have initiated a well-organised transition process with the help of international partners,” he observed.
Mr Karzai is slated to arrive in Mumbai on a four-day visit on November 9 where he is to engage with Indian industry and business to push for regional economic integration. His interactions with the political leadership in New Delhi are slotted for later.
The ambassador said Afghanistan underlined regional economic integration as this was a factor for security as those involved in the process would seek to promote a secure environment for themselves as economic actors. Afghanistan’s impressive reserves of oil and gas, gold, copper and iron ore can be exploited only in conditions of security, he noted.
During Mr Karzai’s visit, MoUs are to be signed in the areas of mines, youth affairs, small development projects, and fertilisers. Calling India “a reliable friend”, Mr Abdali said 5,000 Afghan students were studying in the country.
Asked if forward movement in security cooperation was to be expected as a consequence of President Karzai’s visit, he said, “Absolutely all areas will be discussed.” Pressed on “expanded defence relations”, he said, “We are looking at various possibilities. The visit is taking place at a critical time.”
India became Afghanistan’s first strategic partner in October last year. It is this relationship that is expected to be reviewed and invigorated in the course of Mr Karzai’s talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The ambassador was dismissive of reports of a “civil-war-type situation” engulfing the country following the withdrawal of US and Nato forces in 2014. But he said it was “time for India and Afghanistan to be very vigilant”.