February 12, 2022
1 min read

India quietly resumes aid to Afghanistan

Although the allocation is significantly less than the $47 million India gave to the now-ousted Ashraf Ghani government in 2021, it clearly marked India’s fast-shifting stance on the Taliban’s takeover of the war-torn country, reports Asian Lite News

In a surprise shift with major regional implications, India is reaching out to the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan in a symbolic offer of aid in an hour of humanitarian need, Asia Times reported.

On February 1, New Delhi quietly allocated Indian rupee equivalent to about $27 million for assistance to Afghanistan in its 2022-23 fiscal Budget. According to the budgetary line item, the amount will be disbursed to pay for existing Indian projects in the country, scholarships for Afghan students and aid for the Afghan people, the report said.

ALSO READ: India’s wheat shipment to Kabul via Pakistan to start in February

Although the allocation is significantly less than the $47 million India gave to the now-ousted Ashraf Ghani government in 2021, it clearly marked India’s fast-shifting stance on the Taliban’s takeover of the war-torn country.

IOM raises alarm over millions of displaced Afghans

That shift is no doubt being informed by the Taliban government’s rocky relations with neighboring Pakistan, India’s traditional and chief adversary, the report said. It is widely believed, including among US lawmakers, that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency aided and abetted the Taliban’s lightning seizure of power last August.

True or false, the Taliban’s new Islamic Emirate government is keen not to appear beholden and obliged to Islamabad for its battlefield victory, it added.

On the contrary, the neighbours are increasingly in conflict over a border fence Pakistan is building that has resurrected long-time territorial disputes and a surge in cross-border militant attacks that Islamabad wants Kabul to do more to stop.

ALSO READ: Biden to unfreeze $7 bn Afghan fund to 9/11 victims, aid

Previous Story

Russia planning to invade Ukraine on Feb 16?

Next Story

IPL auction: India pacer Avesh joins ten crore club

Latest from -Top News

Jaishankar Hints at Tariff Deal with US

Jaishankar explained that the ongoing trade tensions largely stem from the inability of both sides to reach a common ground on several issues….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on

Rajnath Singh Heads to Australia for Key Defence Talks

The visit comes at a historic moment when India and Australia commemorate five years of establishment of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership…reports Asian Lite News Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Australia from

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with

Reeves urged to break manifesto pledges

Chancellor under pressure as £40bn fiscal gap looms, with critics warning against a “pasty tax” budget of piecemeal revenue raisers…reports Asian Lite News Rachel Reeves is facing growing unease inside Labour’s ranks

Starmer to Visit India on Wednesday

UK and India to cement strategic ties with new free trade agreement and deeper cooperation across defence, technology and climate Prime Minister Keir Starmer will make his first official visit to India
Go toTop

Don't Miss

China sends humanitarian aid to Northern Province in Afghanistan

The recently arrived shipment is part of the humanitarian aid

10,000 Indian workers to reach Israel amid war

These 10,000 workers will reach in batches of 700 to