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India commits to another key development in Afghanistan
Afghanistan and India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the construction of the Shahtoot dam project in Kabul.
President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual summit over the singing of the MoU on Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking at the occasion, Ghani said once the project is finished, the Shahtoot dam would provide clean water to two million people in Kabul.
“With Shahtoot Dam, Kabul snow and rain will be harnessed to quench the thirst of around two million citizens through the provision of water security,” Ghani stated.
The dam that will be built on the Kabul river, one of Afghanistan’s five rivers, would also be used for irrigation.
Ghani stated: “Shahtoot will inject sufficient water into Kabul River to make it once again a hub of greenery, reforestation, entertainment, and arts and crafts.”
“With Shahtoot reservoir and solar pumps we will be able to implement our vision of restoring Kabul to the natural beauty that captivated the imagination of Babur,” Ghani noted.
Meanwhile, Indian PM Modi stated that India has been one of the main development partners of Afghanistan in the last two decades.
“Our development projects in Afghanistan are spread across various sectors like infrastructure development, capacity building, agriculture, education, and health,” Modi said.
He said that the signing of the MoU on Shahtoot Dam in Kabul is based on the strong friendship between India and Afghanistan.
“I feel special joy, knowing that the Shahtoot Dam project will make drinking water available for citizens living in Kabul,” Modi pointed out.
Modi also assured the people of Afghanistan that “India is standing together with you. India will be with you during every step of your journey that is one of patience, courage, and resolve.”
Modi said that no external power can stop the development of Afghanistan or will be able to hinder the friendship between India and Afghanistan.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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