India Pursues Greater Military, Economic Links With Afghanistan | Defense News | defensenews.com
NEW DELHI — With the pending withdrawal of US-led forces from Afghanistan at the end of this year, New Delhi may supply lethal weapons and equipment in addition to the $2 billion in infrastructure aid it has already committed to Kabul.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, during a Dec. 12-15 visit to India, handed over a wish list of weapons and equipment, Indian Ministry of Defence sources said. The list includes tanks, artillery, mortars, a transport aircraft and medium-lift helicopters. In addition, Kabul wants India to help train its troops and Air Force personnel at Indian defense establishments.
A Ministry of External Affairs official said a plan is being developed to increase military-to-military cooperation as part of the strategic partnership agreement signed in 2013. India also is pursuing economic ties on a business-to-business level, with Afghanistan claiming that in the fields of mining and infrastructure alone, there is about $25 billion in work available, the official added.
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