Afghanistan and India relations and how they work together
I know many in Pakistan have been trying to speak negative about India.. but I came across this interview with the Afghan Ambassador to India where he talks about the Indo-Afghan relations. I think the facts are self evident. Also read the thoughts of Astad Deboo on his visit to Afghanistan where he talks about his performances and the general life in Kabut and Herat. He mentions how the Indian soaps (Kyunki Saas etc) have influenced the women there.. as many have named their daughters Tulsi. Astad Deboo has been awarded Padma Shree and is a top ranking innovative modern dancer of India.
As an ambassador to India for the last nine-and-a-half years, through the different ups and downs of my country, India has played a great positive role
The Afghan people and Indian people should know this. It should be recorded in the history of the two nations. Whether it was the government of I K Gujral, H D Deve Gowda or Atal Bihari Vajpayee or Manmohan Singh. All the institutions of your country, Parliament and others, were indeed keen to help Afghanistan — not because of their problem with Pakistan. Independently.
When I became ambassador here, Commander Masood was in Kabul and Mr (Burhanuddin) Rabbani was the president, I found that they (the Indian government) were cooperative. When the Taliban captured Kabul, (then external affairs minister) I K Gujral announced at the United Nations that India recognised President Rabbani and Commander Masood, though they were not in Kabul then.
In the lobbies of the UN, Non Alignment and others, they (he Indians) were always with us. Then they were going back and forth to see Commander Masood and my leaders to tell them that India will do whatever it can.
Post-Taliban, India immediately offered help – to build Afghanistan’s infrastructure, roads, schools, computerisation, training of different institutions. The recent Manmohan Singh visit was the climax.
The people of Afghanistan, the government, not just put out a red carpet for him at the airport but also in their hearts. Because this man represented India — physically, psychologically, politically, and humbly. It was so great that people were watching this.
He laid the foundation of our parliament. India will give about $25 million, $30 million for the building. India is a part of the foundation of the future of this country. They have also allocated about 1,000 scholarships — 500 for professionals and 500 for higher education
Technorati : Afghanistan, Astad Deboo, Taliban