May 13, 2011

Outcome Document on Indian Prime Minister’s Visit to Afghanistan

Comments - Smart Strategy in Zero Sum Game in Afghanistan

The Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh's visit to Afghanistan is a smart move re-emphasising commitment to regional stability and Afghan development. From London Conference in January 2010 when India was literally pushed out of the scene so to say, it is back more emphatically and this should underline New Delhi's long standing commitment to the country.

In significant developments, emphasising on the Treaty of Friendship between the Government of India and the Royal Government of Afghanistan of 04 January 1950, resolve to draft a Strategic Partnership document has been declared. As of now a Strategic Economic Partnership has been established which would operate through the mechanism of a Partnership Council led by the two foreign ministers and comprise of Joint Working Groups in various facets including education and human resource capacity building, people to people exchanges, regional economic cooperation and cooperation in the area of security and law enforcement.

The Indians have also welcomed the political processes for reconciliation, “and plans of the government and people of Afghanistan to assume full ownership of their security and development efforts”. In tangibles, the more visible are likely to be the 1000 buses for Kabul and other municipalities with provision for maintenance support, training and infrastructure and 500 tractors for Afghan farmers, while the assistance in establishment of Afghan Institute of Mining will provide India an important stake in the mining sector in Afghanistan.

While the two sides affirmed that their Strategic Partnership was not directed against any other State or group of States there is no doubt likely to be some consternation in Pakistan which a few days back had announced a Joint Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Commission.

The visit will no doubt open new doors in Indo Afghan relations that would ensure that the overall atmosphere post the killing of Osama in Pakistan can be taken advantage of. The stand of both India and Afghanistan over the presence of Osama and other groups in Pakistan and support by Islamabad to terrorism has been vindicated and to that extent the Indian Prime Minister and the Afghan President would be satisfied over the developments.

The increase in aid by India to Afghanistan to $2 billion with major focus on the expansion in small development projects to the tune of $ 100 million should provide a strong foothold in the country for years to come for these projects would be most effective at the grass roots. At the same time Dr Man Mohan Singh perhaps mindful of relations with Pakistan kept the issue of terrorism support from that country in general terms. India would now have to focus on political engagement in Afghanistan for there is so much political activity ongoing there that this opportunity should not be lost as the shift from an active insurgency to a political one is happening slowly and steadily. While leaders as Abdullah Abdullah are major supporters of New Delhi and now even Mr Karzai has also been won over there is a need for expanding the contacts to cultivate other Pashtoon leaders. Thus more initiatives in this sphere and delivery of the development projects and plans announced would be the way ahead for Indo Afghan relations in the long term despite the likely resistance from Pakistan.

Indian support to Afghanistan is also in those fields that have enough traction for the country such as buses and tractors which would be visible through out so that the assistance would be noted by the people at large. The large interest in the country’s mining sector is also denoted by the assistance to the Mining centre in the country. Thus increase in Indian presence in Afghanistan is now evident. What response Pakistan generates to the same remains to be seen, but an immediate one of an attack on the Indian consulate or embassy cannot be ruled out.

However there is an imminent danger to all Indian activities especially after the high profile visit by the Indian Prime Minister which has certainly raised the stakes in the country. The address to the parliament is particularly significant for this establishes contact with the larger political body and would be seen by Pakistan as beyond the government to government one that has been existing there so far.

While there are over 4000 Indians working in Afghanistan on various projects the main threat is to the Embassy in Kabul and the consulates in Jalalabad which are under constant pressure and despite the increase in the security measures are highly vulnerable. The threat to Indians in Afghanistan are therefore likely to increase. As Afghanistan National Intelligence Agency spokesperson Lutfullah Mashal indicated with reference to the failed attempt on Indian Consul General of Jalalabad province, "Well, these two guys have very clearly confessed that they were hired by ISI, they were paid by ISI and they were promised that if they killed the Indian Consul General, they will be paid 1.20 lacs, which is a big amount of money in Afghanistan," said Mashal. The vulnerability of Indian assets is therefore likely to remain high

Thus the Zero Sum Game in Afghanistan is likely to continue for some time. India will have to expand leverages and defuse regional apprehensions while Pakistan plays the China card, Iran, Russia, CAR also pitch in with their own take. A reality check based on facts would also reveal that there is a considerable improvement in the security situation in the country including the North, where the spread of the insurgency is contained. Recent attacks by the Taliban in large numbers in Kandahar and Nuristan have been very effectively neutralised by the ANA and ANP, though there is a long way to go. At the end of the day till the Afghans can stand up on their own, the familiar great game in different forms will continue.

Address by Indian Prime Minister to the Joint Session of the Parliament of Afghanistan

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the Joint Session of the Parliament of Afghanistan in Kabul today. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s address on the occasion:

“I am overwhelmed by the honour given to me today to address the joint session of the Parliament of Afghanistan. I am conscious that this is a rare honour given to a foreign leader. I am humbled by this gesture of love and affection for India. You, the Honourable Members of the Wolesi Jirga and the Meshrano Jirga, represent the magnificent diversity, hopes and aspirations of this great and ancient land. I bring to you the greetings and good wishes of the people of India. Afghanistan is a country richly endowed in culture, heritage, architecture and natural resources. Afghanistan has been a centre of civilization. It has given to the region and the world the richness of Dari and Pashto literature, the Sufi traditions of the Chistis, the legacy of the Buddha and Buddhist art in Bamiyan, the Gandhara School of art and much more. Afghanistan has been the junction between South and Central Asia and a gateway to India. Our ties of history and culture go back many millennia.

The founder of the Mughal Empire Emperor Babar lies interred here in his favourite garden in Kabul. In his brilliant reign of five years, Sher Shah Suri built the Grand Trunk Road from Kabul to Delhi. This facilitated the traditional exchange of religious ideas, the carriage of goods, travellers, kings and commoners. Kagazi badams and Kandahari anars are well known delicacies in India. Bacha Khan, who was known as the Frontier Gandhi because of his friendship with Mahatma Gandhi, was laid to rest in Jalalabad according to his wishes. Our forefathers have bequeathed to us a rich heritage of social, cultural and political ties. These civilisational connections have tied together our traditions and faiths and our terrain and temperament.

As leaders and representatives, we have the sacred duty to strengthen and enrich these bonds forged by our people over centuries. I have come to Afghanistan to renew these ties of friendship, solidarity and fraternity. This is the only agenda that I have come with. This is the only agenda that the people of India have in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has undergone great trials and tribulations. But we know that the Afghan people are proud, brave and fiercely independent. We know that they are strong and resilient in the face of adversity. These are qualities widely admired in India. In the ten years since it decided to turn its back on the past and face the future, Afghanistan has made significant progress in many areas. There are undoubtedly many challenges ahead. The process of nation building is long and full of hurdles. National reconstruction needs sustained hard work and sacrifice and is a process of learning.

Our two countries face similar development challenges. India is ready to partner the Afghan people as they rebuild their country in accordance with their own priorities and national circumstances. Many of Afghanistan’s priorities are also our priorities. Many of your problems are also our problems.

We fully support the vision of a secure, prosperous and democratic future for Afghanistan outlined in the National Priority Programmes initiated by the government of Afghanistan. Our experience of policy implementation in India has been that participative democracy is a vital agent of social and economic empowerment at the grassroots. It has brought in more transparent and accountable governance. The Afghan parliament already has reservation for women. We have found that similar reservation in local bodies in India is creating a new dynamic of development with a human face.

School enrolment in your country has increased from 1 million to 7 million since 2002 and enrolment of girls has doubled over the past four years. I know that it is your topmost priority to put every child in school and keep him or her there. In India the mid-day meal scheme has been very successful in our schools. We have been supplying fortified biscuits to Afghan school children for the last few years. But what we teach our children is equally important. In India we have recently overhauled the school curriculum. What children learn in school should be related to their lives outside it. They should imbibe a sense of nationhood and values of tolerance and respect for others. They should be taught about the importance of the environment. Education should stimulate and open their minds to creative thought and imagination. The hopes and dreams of our nations rest on the little shoulders of our children. So we need to teach them well.

I know that Afghanistan has made strides in providing health care to its people over the past decade. We would be happy to strengthen the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health and the work of our medical missions in different provinces. Building infrastructure is another challenge. We have tried to provide such assistance as we could to provide electricity and roads in Afghanistan. I am happy that the transmission line built from Pul-e-Khumri is now bringing a steady supply of electricity to the capital. I am happy that the sacrifices made in building the Zaranj - Delaram highway have not gone in vain. The population of Zaranj has increased. Trade is thriving and customs revenues have grown.

The people of India feel privileged to see their development cooperation receive such a warm welcome in Afghanistan. Nothing would give us greater satisfaction than to see Indian resources being utilized for more roads, more electricity, more schools, more hospitals or more community projects - activities that directly benefit the common Afghan people. We will increase development outlays towards capacity building and skill development. This will include more scholarships for Afghan students for studying in India, institution building efforts, social development and higher investment in the health sector by way of a medical package. We will provide buses for Kabul and other municipalities. We propose to upgrade the agricultural department at the Kabul University to an agricultural university, donate tractors to farmers and give scholarships for the study of agricultural sciences.

We will significantly enhance our commitment for the Small Development Projects Scheme across provinces to further facilitate development at the grassroots with the involvement of local communities. We will help in the preservation and revival of Afghanistan’s archeological and cultural heritage and restoration of the historic Stor Palace in Kabul. The total outlay on these and other additional initiatives that we will take in consultation with the government of Afghanistan in the next few years will amount to 500 million US dollars. This will take our total commitment of assistance to around 2 billion US dollars.

Our ambitions and aspirations for growth and prosperity cannot be realized unless there is peace and tranquility that will allow our people to live and work in honour and dignity. I pay tribute to all those innocent men, women and children who have lost their lives in the search for a better tomorrow. The people of India feel and share the pain and suffering of their Afghan brothers and sisters. Terrorism and extremism are alien ideas to our people. They bring only death and destruction in their wake. They provide no answers to the problems of poverty, illiteracy, hunger and disease. They have no place in a civilized society. Eventually, our centuries old traditions of peaceful co-existence, of living in peace and harmony with each other and with nature will prevail over these deviant ideologies. We cannot and must not allow the flames of extremism and terrorism to be fanned once again.

Afghanistan has embarked upon a process of national reconciliation. We wish you well in this enterprise. It is up to you, as the peoples’ representatives, to make decisions about your country’s future without outside interference or coercion. This is your sovereign right. India will respect the choices you make and the decisions you take. Our only interest is to see a stable, peaceful and independent Afghanistan living in peace with its neighbours. We hope that Afghanistan will be able to build a framework of regional cooperation that will help its nation building efforts As Afghanistan moves towards assuming full responsibility for its security, we stand ready to widen our cooperation in this area

Afghanistan’s entry into the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation was a historic step. We must invest and work together for our common future. The countries of South Asia have been most prosperous and stable when they have been well connected to each other and the world. Geography and history make it imperative that we cooperate to realize our common destiny. If we are to build a common regional identity, we need to learn more about each other. I have often said that we know more about the countries of the West than we do about each other. That is why it is very important to multiply our people to people contacts.

Yesterday, President Karzai and I have agreed on a Declaration of Strategic Partnership. We have agreed to reinvigorate our relationship in all sectors on the basis of mutual respect and mutual equality. This will be a long term partnership. Its main pillars will be greater political interaction, a comprehensive economic partnership, a trade development strategy, a social development strategy, an agricultural outreach strategy, a cultural development strategy, and a civil society strategy. A Partnership Council will be set up under the two Foreign Ministers.

I would especially like to underline the decision to enhance people to people exchanges, including between intellectuals, youth, women and the media. Parliamentary exchanges are extremely useful and helpful. I would suggest for your consideration the formation of an India-Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Forum. We will revitalize links between our business and trading communities so that Afghanistan’s economy can fully benefit from India’s economic growth. I am happy that the people of Afghanistan are emerging from the ravages of war and rebuilding the country as a peaceful home for the confluence of cultures, for commerce and development and where the countries of the region cooperate rather than compete with each other. As an abiding friend, India will always stand by you in this noble task. We have always stood by our Afghan friends and I want to reaffirm that we will do so in future as well. I once again thank you for giving me this great honour of sharing some of my thoughts with you.

          I am deeply grateful to President Karzai for his personal friendship, and thank the people and Government of Afghanistan for the warm hospitality extended to me during my stay in this beautiful country. Long live India-Afghanistan friendship.” [PIB Press release].

Extracts of Opening Statement by the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh at the Joint Press Interaction in Kabul

“___My visit to Afghanistan reflects the commitment of our Government to advance our relations to a new level. President Karzai and I have reviewed the decisions we took during the President’s visit to India in February this year. Based on this, we have agreed on a Joint Declaration between our two countries. The Declaration envisages regular political consultations, the establishment of a Strategic Economic Partnership, education and human resource capacity building, people to people exchanges, regional economic cooperation and cooperation in the area of security and law enforcement.

The Strategic Partnership will be implemented under the framework of a Partnership Council which will be headed by the two Foreign Ministers. I reiterated to President Karzai India’s firm and unwavering commitment to assisting the Government and people of Afghanistan in areas which are of priority and concern to them. Our development assistance commitment to Afghanistan currently stands at approximately 1.5 billion US dollars spread over several sectors, but there are still gaps. We now have a better idea of where we can and should do more. We have decided to make a fresh commitment valued at approximately 500 million US dollars over the next few years. This will consist of specific projects and schemes and other initiatives that will be developed in consultation with the Government of Afghanistan.

Broadly, we will increase our focus on the social sector, agriculture, capacity building, access to the Indian market and continue with our infrastructure projects. We are happy that a growing number of Afghans are finding it worthwhile to travel to India for different purposes. We will facilitate such exchanges, including among the business and trading community. We want to ensure unhindered and across the board interaction among our two societies. This is how it has been throughout our history. The President shared with me the political processes underway towards reconciliation and plans of the government and people of Afghanistan to assume full ownership of their security and development efforts. India welcomes and supports these efforts. We have experience in the political and security areas which we think is relevant to Afghanistan.

We agreed that India and Afghanistan face a common threat from the scourge of terrorism. In the interest of bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan it is necessary for the countries of the region and beyond to respect Afghanistan’s integrity, sovereignty and independence. The decisions which Afghanistan takes should be taken in Afghanistan by Afghans. I have no doubt that good and healthy relations between India and Afghanistan correspond to the basic interests of both our peoples and enjoy widespread support in both countries. Equally importantly, they contribute to peace and stability in the region and beyond. I have invited President Karzai to visit India. We also warmly welcome visits by other high dignitaries of Afghanistan to India, and I will reiterate our invitations to them when I meet them. This is a unique moment of transition for Afghanistan. India stands with the people of Afghanistan. We are with Afghanistan for the long term. I thank you.” [PIB Press Release].

Joint Declaration between India and Afghanistan on the Occasion of the visit of Prime Minister of India

Operative Extracts -

Reaffirming their commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, India and Afghanistan decided to establish a Strategic Partnership covering all areas of mutual interest. Based on mutual understanding and long term trust in each other, this Partnership envisages the elevation of their multifaceted ties to a higher level, both in the bilateral field and in the international arena.

The two sides declared that the Strategic Partnership between the two countries is based upon the principles of sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of States, non-interference in their internal affairs, mutual respect and mutual benefit.

The two sides decided to hold follow up discussions in the near future towards preparation of a Strategic Partnership document between the two countries. The Strategic Partnership will be implemented under the framework of a Partnership Council. The Council will be headed by the Foreign Ministers of both the countries and will meet annually. It will consist of separate Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on designated issues of common concern.

The two sides agreed that the Strategic Partnership between India and Afghanistan will include various facets of the bilateral relationship. In the political sphere, the two sides agreed to hold regular Summit level meetings, institutionalized dialogues at various levels, regular consultations on peace and security, and closer cooperation and coordination at the United Nations and other international and regional fora. In the area of economics and commerce, the two sides decided to enter into a Strategic Economic Partnership, recognizing the advantages of closer economic integration with the South Asian market and the region. They agreed to explore greater cooperation in sectors such as mining, metallurgy, fuel and energy, information technology, communications and transport, and also jointly explore the possibilities of regional trading arrangements with other countries. The two countries agreed on the importance of regional projects such as TAPI, in promoting regional integration.

The two sides agreed to enhance and expand cooperation in the field of education & human resource capacity development, including through expanded opportunities for education and training for Afghan students in India and a significant expansion of the ongoing Small Development Projects (SDPs) scheme for grass-root level development in all parts of Afghanistan, especially remote and rural areas, and for the welfare particularly of Afghan women and children.

The Indian side announced an additional outlay of US$ 500 million for these and other projects to be decided in consultation with Afghan partners making their total development commitment to Afghanistan US $ 2 billion. The Afghan side expressed gratitude to India for its commitment to Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development and for its generous support over the past ten years, including the new announcement of an additional US$ 500 million to its past contribution.

The two sides also emphasized the importance of parliamentary exchanges, and those in the area of media, culture, youth, civil society and people-to-people relations, to provide further substance to the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

The two sides agreed that regional economic cooperation, with a view to assisting Afghanistan in emerging as a land bridge and trade, transportation and energy hub connecting Central and South Asia by enabling free and more unfettered transport and transit linkages would be in the interest of the country and the region as a whole. In this context, the two sides agreed on the need to explore regional infrastructure development projects and further energize cooperation under the framework of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

The two sides also agreed that an important part of their Strategic Partnership would be cooperation in the area of security, law enforcement and justice, including an enhanced focus on cooperation in the fight against international terrorism, organised crime, and illegal trafficking in narcotics, and money-laundering. The two sides affirmed that their Strategic Partnership was not directed against any other State or group of States. [PIB Press Release].

Press Note on Additional Assistance to Afghanistan Announced by Prime Minister During his Visit to Afghanistan

India’s existing commitments to the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan involve a financial outlay of close to US $ 1.5 billion.

2. A fresh package of US $ 500 million has been announced during the visit of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to Afghanistan, to underline India’s undiluted commitment to the efforts of the Government and people of Afghanistan to build a peaceful, prosperous and stable country. The following are the aid commitments made during the visit:

(i) A fresh commitment of US $ 100 million for the third phase of India’s programme of Small Development Projects, over and above the previous pledge of US$ 20 million;

(ii) Donation of 1000 buses for the Kabul and other municipalities with provision for maintenance support, training and infrastructure;

(iii) A medical package consisting of the treatment of Afghan patients in select disciplines and hospitals in India over the next three years to be implemented through the Afghan Ministry of Public Health; the rehabilitation and professional up-gradation of the National Malaria and Leishmaniasis Centre of Afghanistan; and the upgradation of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, including the neo-natal and maternal care unit;

(iv) Upgradation of the agricultural department at the Kabul University to an agricultural university and providing scholarships for the study of agricultural sciences.

(v) Donation of 500 tractors for Afghan farmers; Provision of seeds and other assistance for the agricultural sector;

(vi) The early finalization of a US$ 50 million Buyers Credit Line to promote exports and attract Indian business to Afghanistan;

(vii) A grant of US $ 10 million for preservation and revival of Afghanistan’s archaeological and cultural heritage and cultural exchanges;

(viii) A grant of US $ 4 million to the Government of Afghanistan for the restoration of the historic Stor Palace in Kabul.

(ix) Assistance in setting up an Afghan Institute of Mining.

(x) An enhancement of our ICCR scholarships for students from 675 to 1000 with a special focus on encouraging women students to avail of the additional slots;

(xi) Assistance in setting up of a computer laboratory at Habibia School.