India's Support for Afghan Refugees
India is planning to assist Afghanistan by setting up projects in the health and education sectors to aid refugees fleeing Pakistan.
Context
- Pakistan has been expelling Afghan refugees, creating tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.
- India's decision to support Afghanistan follows a meeting between Foreign Secretary and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister in Dubai.
- Nearly a million refugees have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran since late 2023.
India-Afghanistan Relationship
- India has a historical relationship with Afghanistan, which was emphasized during the recent talks.
- The meeting signaled a potential shift from a purely humanitarian approach to more strategic cooperation.
Areas of Cooperation
- Sports Collaboration: Strengthening cooperation in cricket was discussed.
- Trade and Commerce: Promotion of Chabahar port use for trade and commercial activities was agreed upon.
Regional Developments and Security Concerns
- India condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan.
- The Afghan side acknowledged India's security concerns and thanked India for its continued support.
