


This openness of the Indian mission, unfortunately also makes it an easy target for terror attacks. Indian officials suspect a Pakistan hand in Monday’s suicide attack, simply because the military establishment in Islamabad is wary of India’s presence and believe that Islamabad’s heavy investments in Afghanistan is now unravelling. This is why rouge elements in the Pakistan military may have aided the Taliban attack, because they regard both New Delhi and Hamid Karzai as their enemy.
New Delhi’s involvement in Afghanistan is far more tangible than the Americans’ or NATO contribution. It is appreciated more because aid is non-military and touches the lives of ordinary Afghans. India has pledged roughly US$750 million to Afghanistan’s reconstruction since 2002 and is the fifth-largest bilateral donor in Afghanistan. India is also constructing the 218-km Zaranj-Delaram road, the Afghan parliament and a power transmission line from Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul and a sub power station to supply electricity to the power-starved capital.
It is also reconstructing the Salma Dam in Herat at a cost of over $109 million and building a telephone exchange.


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