NEW DELHI: Ahead of Afghan Army chief Gen Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai’s visit to India next week, the government said that its ties with Afghanistan would be guided by the strategic partnership agreement (SPA) of 2011.
Ahmadzai will reach India on July 27. The reference to the SPA is significant against the backdrop of speculation that Afghanistan may ask for military assistance from India.
The agreement says: “India agrees to assist in the training, equipping and capacity building programmes for Afghan National Security Forces.” In other words, India would, if asked, continue — or even enhance — the military support it has provided to Afghanistan. Thus far, India has given four Mi-35 attack helicopters to Afghanistan; four MI-35s repaired and refurbished by Belarus, and three Cheetah helicopters. At this point, when the future course of the battle between the ANDSF and Taliban will depend on who provides superior airpower, Afghanistan is looking for all the help it can get. India’s ability to help in ramping up Afghan air capacity is limited.
“Should we not get to a stage in the peace process with the Taliban, then maybe a time (will come) where we would be seeking India’s military assistance,” Farid Mamundzay, Afghanistan’s ambassador to India, recently told NDTV. The MEA spokesperson said on Thursday, “India supports the government and the people of Afghanistan in realising their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future where the interest of all sections of Afghan society are protected.” The MEA also said Thursday that it wasn’t aware of any invite by Russia for India to join the Russia-US-China troika meeting that also includes Pakistan.
Ahmadzai will reach India on July 27. The reference to the SPA is significant against the backdrop of speculation that Afghanistan may ask for military assistance from India.
The agreement says: “India agrees to assist in the training, equipping and capacity building programmes for Afghan National Security Forces.” In other words, India would, if asked, continue — or even enhance — the military support it has provided to Afghanistan. Thus far, India has given four Mi-35 attack helicopters to Afghanistan; four MI-35s repaired and refurbished by Belarus, and three Cheetah helicopters. At this point, when the future course of the battle between the ANDSF and Taliban will depend on who provides superior airpower, Afghanistan is looking for all the help it can get. India’s ability to help in ramping up Afghan air capacity is limited.
“Should we not get to a stage in the peace process with the Taliban, then maybe a time (will come) where we would be seeking India’s military assistance,” Farid Mamundzay, Afghanistan’s ambassador to India, recently told NDTV. The MEA spokesperson said on Thursday, “India supports the government and the people of Afghanistan in realising their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future where the interest of all sections of Afghan society are protected.” The MEA also said Thursday that it wasn’t aware of any invite by Russia for India to join the Russia-US-China troika meeting that also includes Pakistan.
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