Indo-Afghanistan relations Can be traced back to Indus Valley Civilization  Historic Khyber Pass that connects Afghanistan to Indian subcontinent is a part of Silk Road  The Republic of India was the only South Asian country to recognize the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan in the 1980s Relations were diminished during the 1990s Afghan civil war and the Taliban government India aided the overthrow of the Taliban and became the largest regional provider of humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Afghanistan.

Economic Cooperation: India is the second largest destination for Afghanistan exports. Indian companies have invested in its mining sector, agriculture, communications, Information Technology etc. Afghanistan possess many minerals like gold, iron, copper etc TAPI (Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan and India): Natural Gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to India Chabahar port 

Defense Cooperation: India provides training to Afghanistan military officers in Indian military academies In 2014 India signed an agreement with Afghanistan and Russia. According to this agreement Russia will provide all military equipment needed by Afghanistan and India will pay for it India has directly provided three Russian-made Mi-25 attack helicopters to Afghan Air Force in 2015 Corporation in fighting Terrorism

Cultural Relations Sister City relations: Kabul – New Delhi ICCR Scholarships for Afghan students for education and technical skills. Technical Capacity building programs Sister City relations: Kabul – New Delhi Kandahar – Mumbai Ajmer Sharif – Herat Hyderabad – Jalalabad Ahmedabad – Asadabad State of Assam – Province of Helmand The cities will be connected through tourism, student and Faculty exchange programme.

India has also completed many infrastructure projects in Afghanistan.  India’s Development Programs in Afghanistan India continues to assist Afghanistan in its reconstruction program by providing a bilateral assistance of 2 Billion USD. India has also completed many infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. Salma Dam in Herat Province(Salma Dam renamed as friendship dam) Parliament Building in Kabul Road project in Nimroz Province A power project near Kabul India also has established hospitals and runs midday meal schemes for Afghan school children

Regional Balance of Power India needs Afghanistan to keep Pakistan in check just like China has been using Pakistan against India When Afghanistan was invaded by US in 2001, its objectives were to oust Taliban and control of natural resources of Afghanistan. There was an agenda for the US and India to prevent Russian and Chinese hegemony in Central Asia. Russia maintains Afghanistan as embankment to protect its vulnerable southern border from illegal narcotics and Islamic extremism. These factors make Afghanistan has become a center of power struggle between super powers

Amritsar Declaration: Highlights State-sponsored terrorism was identified as a key challenge  Unanimously named Terrorist groups in Pakistan and asked for action. Members reiterated their belief in principles of sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, sovereign equality of nations as enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Members expressed their commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Members called up for leveraging the cultural heritage of the region to drive economic and social development. Members consented on eliminating non-tariff barriers to trade.

US new afghan policy  It is called as South Asia policy, to distinguish it from the Obama administration’s so-called Af-Pak policy To disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaeda and its safe havens in Pakistan, and to prevent their return to Pakistan or Afghanistan. Broader strategy for both counterterrorism and regional security Military commitment without a deadline in Afghanistan It puts more pressure on Pakistan Larger role to be played by India: Afghanistan described India as “Afghanistan’s most reliable regional partner”.