US welcomes $1 billion Indian aid pledge to Afghanistan

Washington, September 16

The US has welcomed the $ 1 billion aid pledge made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards development in Afghanistan.

“The fact that India is willing to invest in that future (of Afghanistan), we view it as a very positive sign and we appreciate India’s effort,” State Department Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference on Thursday.

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“This is something...we obviously support India’s generosity and focus on Afghanistan and willingness to help Afghanistan become a stronger, independent country that has the stronger economic growth, certainly, and also has the capacity to defend itself and provide security to its people,” Toner said.

He was responding to a question on the announcement made by Modi during a visit by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that India would make another USD 1 billion aid to this war-torn country. India has emerged as one of the largest donors of civilian aid to Afghanistan. PTI