India has asserted that its projects worth $3b in Afghanistan speaks for itself and has regretted the ignorance of American officials after President Donald Trump mock PM Narendra Modi over the usefulness of Delhi sponsor "library" in the closed in the country.
President Trump on Wednesday mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for funding a library in Afghanistan, saying he doesn't know how many use it.
Meanwhile, India hopes to have significant consultation with US envoy for Taliban calm talks Zalmay Khalilzad during his probable visit here next week for Raisina Dialogue. Khalilzad had twice skipped visiting India since November and Delhi was predominantly not satisfied with India not being sufficiently consulted on Afghan settlement efforts.
The Indian government justified its development partnership with Afghanistan instead of boots on the ground. "India firmly believes in the critical role that developmental support can play in transforming human lives. India does not send its armed forces overseas except under the specific mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Operations".
In Afghanistan, India plays an important role as a development partner, they said. "This partnership is built on the precise needs and requirements worked out with the government of Afghanistan. It is aimed at the interests of the people of Afghanistan and for a touchable improvement in the lives of its people," "India seeks to build capacity and capabilities of Afghan nationals and its institution for governance and delivery of public service, develop socio-economic communications, secure lives and promote livelihood."
While stating that he got along with Modi, Trump said Modi was "continually telling me he built a library in Afghanistan".
"You know what that is? That's like five hours of what we spend," Trump said. "And we're hypothetical to say, 'Oh, thank you for the library.' I don't know who's using it in Afghanistan," Trump said.
It was unclear which project Trump was referring to, but India has dedicated $3 billion in backing to Afghanistan since 2001. An Afghan civil society member Parwiz Kawa said that Trump may have puzzled the Parliament building with the library.
Indian projects have included the rebuilding of an elite high school in Kabul and scholarships to India for 1,000 Afghan students each year. India considers these as important steps as soft power attaches along with Bollywood and cricket.
"India has helped to build assembly if that is what he is referring to or Salma Dam, transmission lines, roads, and over 400 high-impact community development projects. Delhi is probably third or fourth largest single country donor," sources said, adding it appears that the US President's statement is a matter of poor conference by officials around him.
Inaugurating the Afghan Parliament building in 2015 after rebuilding financed by India, Modi promised to promote programmes "empowering Afghan youth with modern education and professional skills".
