India's Investment fortune in Afghanistan

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The withdrawal of The US troops from Afghanistan and The Taliban swiftly occupying the heart of Kabul till 15th of august 2021 has produced an alarming situation for all the other countries of the world and particularly leaving India in a disadvantageous situation. Afghanistan is included in the few countries in which India has invested a hefty amount of money and it is a land of strategic importance as far as India's situation is considered. The increasing influence of China in South Asia is a threat for India as China is using all India's neighbouring countries as a pawn by using its debt trap strategy to pressurize India from all the sides. So India is also increasing its influence in its neighbouring countries by making healthy trade agreements, investing in those countries and providing them monetary assistance and Afghanistan is one of the country which will help India counter China's ambitious One Belt and Road Initiative.

India has invested a large amount of money in Afghanistan in the last two decades. Shielded by The US and NATO troops for two decades India considered that its investment is safe but with the return of Taliban the situation became uncertain. India has invested more than 3 billion rupees in Afghanistan.

Key projects of India in Afghanistan:

  • The Afghan Parliament Building which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.
  • Bilateral trade between India and Afghanistan is worth $1 billion yearly.
  • India has invested in more than 400 infrastructural projects in Afghanistan.
  • Construction of Shatoot Dam in Kabul.
  • Salma Dam in Herat province.
  • Zaranj Delaram highway a 218 km path near borders of Iran.
Problems faced by India:
  • Ideological clash between the Taliban and Indian Rightist Government.
  • Close relations of the Taliban with Pakistan and China.
  • Close relations of the Taliban with terrorist groups like Al Qaeda.
India has aligned to its 'Wait and Watch Policy' and has not commented yet on the ongoing crisis but the Taliban has announced that India can continue its work peacefully in Afghanistan but Experts tell that it is just a false comment made by the Taliban to get its government a global recognition. It would be interesting to watch how India will get through to this turmoil.

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