India expands development projects in Afghanistan; focus on healthcare, cricket and trade

India has expressed its readiness to respond to Afghanistan’s urgent developmental needs, including support for the health sector, rehabilitation of refugees, and strengthening ties to promote sports, particularly cricket. This decision was made at a meeting between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai.

The Indian government will provide further material support to Afghanistan’s health sector and refugee rehabilitation programmes. The two countries also discussed strengthening sports cooperation, particularly cricket, which is highly valued by Afghanistan’s young generation. Several Afghan cricketers, including Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, have played in IPL.

Additionally, India and Afghanistan agreed to promote the use of Iran’s Chabahar port for supporting trade and commercial activities, including humanitarian assistance. The Indian government has already dispatched several shipments of aid to Afghanistan, including 50,000 metric ton of wheat, 300 tons of medicines, 100 million polio doses, 27 tons of earthquake relief aid, 40,000 litres of pesticide, 1.5 million doses of Covid vaccine, 11,000 units of hygiene kits for drug de-addiction programme, 500 units of winter clothing, and 1.2 tons of stationery kits.

 Misri underlined India’s historic friendship with the Afghan people and strong people-to-people contacts between the two countries. The Indian government has committed to considering engagement in development projects in Afghanistan in the near future, in addition to its ongoing humanitarian assistance programmes.

The Afghan minister appreciated India’s continued engagement and support. The Afghan side also underlined its sensitivities to India’s security concerns.