tushar
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Washington: US on Thursday appreciated India's broad-based developmental work in Afghanistan, but said Chinese interest in the war-torn country is likely to deepen, particularly if the security situation continues to improve.
In a report to the Congress as mandated under the National Defence Authorisation Act 2008, the US Defence Department listed the projects being implemented by India and lauded its efforts in rebuilding Afghanistan.
"India remains committed to diplomatic and development efforts in Afghanistan," the Pentagon said, adding that the Indian efforts are being "viewed favourably" by Afghans.
While lauding India's role, the report says though China has helped train Afghan security personnel, there is no indication that it is "willing to increase the level of assistance provided to the country."
"Beijing's interest in Afghanistan is likely to deepen, particularly if the security situation continues to improve," the report said.
India continues to be one of Afghanistan's largest assistance donors, providing USD 1.3 billion for major infrastructure projects such as electricity generation and transmission, road construction, and the construction of the Afghan parliament building in Kabul.
India is largely responsible for bringing more consistent electricity to Kabul, it said.
Work on the Salma hydroelectric dam in Herat Province continues with funding from India, with a planned completion date of September 2011, the report noted, adding that India provides a variety of smaller-scale projects and initiatives, like the Indian Medical Missions in Afghanistan's major cities that serve tens of thousands of Afghans yearly.
"Such projects provide critical social services and build goodwill among the Afghan people. India also focuses its assistance on building Afghan human capital through scholarship programs in India (more than 1000 per year), agriculture training programs, and other vocational training activities," the report said.
Public opinion surveys show that Afghans view India's involvement in their country favorably, the report said.
Unlike India, China, the report says, China has just two primary concerns -- security and trade.
Since 2002, China donated a total of USD 130 million in aid to Afghan Government. In 2009, China announced it would provide an additional USD 75 million over the next five years.
Chinese companies are investing in Afghanistan, but progress is slow on the largest project, the Aynak copper mine in Logar Province, it said.
The deal, signed in May 2008, also includes construction of a 400-megawatt coal-fired power plant, a freight railway running through Tajikistan to Afghanistan, a hospital, and a mosque.
However, security, archaeological, customs, and other concerns have stalled progress on these projects and have put a damper on other investments.
"China is concerned about the security situation in Afghanistan, narcotics trafficking, and the safety of Chinese workers in the country. Although China has helped train Afghan security personnel, there is no indication that it is willing to increase the level of assistance provided to Afghanistan," the report said.
US lauds India`s role in Afghanistan
In a report to the Congress as mandated under the National Defence Authorisation Act 2008, the US Defence Department listed the projects being implemented by India and lauded its efforts in rebuilding Afghanistan.
"India remains committed to diplomatic and development efforts in Afghanistan," the Pentagon said, adding that the Indian efforts are being "viewed favourably" by Afghans.
While lauding India's role, the report says though China has helped train Afghan security personnel, there is no indication that it is "willing to increase the level of assistance provided to the country."
"Beijing's interest in Afghanistan is likely to deepen, particularly if the security situation continues to improve," the report said.
India continues to be one of Afghanistan's largest assistance donors, providing USD 1.3 billion for major infrastructure projects such as electricity generation and transmission, road construction, and the construction of the Afghan parliament building in Kabul.
India is largely responsible for bringing more consistent electricity to Kabul, it said.
Work on the Salma hydroelectric dam in Herat Province continues with funding from India, with a planned completion date of September 2011, the report noted, adding that India provides a variety of smaller-scale projects and initiatives, like the Indian Medical Missions in Afghanistan's major cities that serve tens of thousands of Afghans yearly.
"Such projects provide critical social services and build goodwill among the Afghan people. India also focuses its assistance on building Afghan human capital through scholarship programs in India (more than 1000 per year), agriculture training programs, and other vocational training activities," the report said.
Public opinion surveys show that Afghans view India's involvement in their country favorably, the report said.
Unlike India, China, the report says, China has just two primary concerns -- security and trade.
Since 2002, China donated a total of USD 130 million in aid to Afghan Government. In 2009, China announced it would provide an additional USD 75 million over the next five years.
Chinese companies are investing in Afghanistan, but progress is slow on the largest project, the Aynak copper mine in Logar Province, it said.
The deal, signed in May 2008, also includes construction of a 400-megawatt coal-fired power plant, a freight railway running through Tajikistan to Afghanistan, a hospital, and a mosque.
However, security, archaeological, customs, and other concerns have stalled progress on these projects and have put a damper on other investments.
"China is concerned about the security situation in Afghanistan, narcotics trafficking, and the safety of Chinese workers in the country. Although China has helped train Afghan security personnel, there is no indication that it is willing to increase the level of assistance provided to Afghanistan," the report said.
US lauds India`s role in Afghanistan
I hope we will increase our involvement in afghanistan ...
