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India pledges $100 mn help for Afghanistan

India on Monday pledged $100 million assistance for reconstruction in Afghanistan, but made it clear that the Taliban must have no part in governance and the country must be rid of terrorism.

Divestment Minister Arun Shourie, who represented the country at the meeting on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan in Tokyo, also met the interim prime minister of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, and extended India's help in the development of the war-ravaged country.

Addressing the conference, Shourie said as part of India's commitment to long-term reconstruction of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has announced a contribution of $100 million.

Apart from this, India has also pledged to offer one million tonnes of wheat for internally and externally displaced Afghans and $1 million for meeting a part of the requirements of the interim administration.

He said the focus must be on reconstruction and the sections of society that had suffered the most -- women, young girls, minorities -- must receive special attention.

The minister said India would work to ensure that specific schemes and projects under various heads are finalised at the earliest and committed to working closely with all international efforts that address the political and economic situation in Afghanistan as it evolved.

"We have been doing so. And you can be assured that we will continue to do so," he said.

Complimenting Japan, the United States, the European Union and Saudi Arabia for bringing governments together for the "noble endeavour" of reconstruction, Shourie said: "We have begun well. We have begun in hope and trust."

Shourie also extended an invitation to Karzai to visit India at the earliest. The dates would be worked out soon, the minister said.

PTI

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