Author:
Publication: Ministry of External
Affairs
Date: February 26, 2003
URL: http://www.meadev.nic.in/speeches/afghanistan26.htm
Financial Assistance:
India has announced a financial
assistance of US$ 100 million for Afghanistan. Of this assistance, US$
31.5 m has been operationalised (details below) in the Current Financial
Year and the balance, US$ 68.5 m will be utilised in project related assistance
to Afghanistan during 2003-04 (US $ 38.5 m) and 2004-05 (US$ 30m). India
has also decided to contribute US $ 200,000 to the World Bank managed Afghan
Reconstruction Trust Fund.
2. In addition, India has announced
food assistance of 1m tons of wheat to Afghanistan. A part of this assistance
(85517 tons of wheat) has been converted into high protein biscuits (9526
tons) and sent to Afghanistan for its school feeding programme.
3. Assistance provided since November
2001:
Aid to Afghan Budget
* US $ 10 m approved as cash subsidy
to the Afghan budget was transferred to the account of the Afghan Government
in July 2002.
* US$ 200,000 has been paid to
Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund.
Humanitarian assistance
* Winter clothing were sent to provide
immediate humanitarian relief in Nov- Dec 2001. Another consignment of
around 25 tons of winter clothing has been sent in February 2003.
* A consignment of 20,000 blankets
was sent to Herat on 4th and 6th February 2002.
* Earthquake relief consisting
of 200 tents, 10000 blankets, and nearly 10 tons of medicines was delivered
to Afghanistan in April 2002.
Health
* EAM during his visit to Kabul
in August 2002, announced setting aside US$ 4 m of assistance for the rehabilitation
of Indira Gandhi Institute of Child health (IGICH). An amount of US$ 100,000
has been approved for immediate assistance.
* A team of 13 Indian doctors and
paramedics have been working at Kabul since November 2001. The team is
attending hundreds of patients daily and disbursing medicines at the polyclinic
(OPD) of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH). The Indian
Medical team is also running an Operation Theatre at the Koh-e-Markaz Hospital
in Kabul.
* A 6-member team of Indian doctors
and paramedics is running an Operation Theatre at the Civil Hospital in
Mazar-e-Sharif since April 2002.
* Nearly 150 tons of medicines,
medical instruments and equipment have been sent to Afghanistan since November
2001.
* An artificial limb/ Jaipur foot
fitment camp was set up for Afghan amputees at Kabul military hospital
in January 2002. Nearly 1000 artificial limbs were fitted during the camp.
Another artificial limb fitment camp was set up from October 21- December
4, 2002 at Mazar-e-Sharif and Meymaneh fitting around 600 artificial limbs.
During the camp, training was also provided to eight local artisans on
the artificial limb maintenance. On conclusion of the camp, the fitment
centre alongwith tools, machinery and raw materials was handed over to
the Afghan authorities and named as Indo-Afghan Rehabilitation Centre in
Mazar-e-Sharif. A large number of rehabilitation aids like wheel chairs,
crutches, hearing aids, audiometers were also gifted.
* Six Afghan doctors and paramedics
from Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health attended training in areas
of their specialisation at All India Institute of Medical Sciences from
August 19-November 18, 2002. Extension was provided to one of the trainees
for advanced training for three months.
Civil Aviation (Aircrafts, Spares
and Services)
* The Indian Government has decided
to gift three airbus aircrafts, along with essential spares including two
engines and services including crew support to the Ariana Afghan Airlines.
Two airbus aircrafts were handed over to Ariana in September and December
2002. The two aircrafts were immediately introduced into service and have
been used for flights on international sector and Haj operations. The third
aircraft is expected to be delivered in end- February/ early March 2003.
* 51 Ariana Afghan Airlines officials
have been trained by Air India.
Transport
* Government has decided to gift
274 buses for the public transport system of Afghanistan. Of these, 135
buses have been already handed over to the Afghan authorities - first three
lots of 25 buses each on April 29, July 13 and December 26, 2002 respectively
and fourth & fifth lots of 30 buses each on January 24 & Feb 7,
2003 respectively. Orders have been placed for supply of additional 64
buses from Tata and 75 buses from Ashok Leyland.
Food Aid
* 9526 tons of fortified biscuits
have been approved for supply for School Feeding Programme in Afghanistan.
The supply has commenced in mid- November 2002 and will continue till April
2003.
Education
* EAM during his visit to Kabul
in August 2002, announced setting aside US$ 4 m of assistance for the reconstruction
of Habibia School. An amount of US$ 100,000 has been approved for immediate
assistance.
* Two English language Instructors
have been teaching English at the Institute of Diplomacy since Feb 2002
to around 180 officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Government
Departments of Afghanistan.
* Two additional English language
teachers have been approved for deputation to Kabul from March 2003 to
teach English at the Ministries of Information & Culture and Labour
& Social Welfare.
* 8646 educational kits were gifted
to the students of Habibia School in Kabul in Aug-Sept 2002.
* Fifty slots have been allocated
to Afghanistan for training at various institutes in India under Indian
Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme. 41 Afghan nationals have
attended the training under the Programme during 2002.
* 10 slots have been allocated
to Afghanistan under General Cultural Scholarship Scheme of Indian Council
of Cultural Relations for higher studies in India.
Diplomacy
* Two batches of 20 Afghan Diplomats
each have been trained at the Foreign Service Institute in February-May
and August-November 2002.
* Training of 15 official from
Presidential Secretariat of Afghanistan at Foreign Service Institute commenced
on October 7, 2002 for a period of twenty-two weeks.
* Two Afghan diplomats attended
a two-week module on Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats in January
2003.
Culture, Heritage, Media, Sport
* A consignment of musical instruments
was sent for the Afghan Radio and Television to Kabul on 10th February
2002.
* A Cash grant of US $ 20,000 for
repair of Shrine of Hazrat Ali in Mazar-e- Sharif has been made in September
2002.
* A batch of 15 Afghan journalists
was provided training at Indian Institute of Mass Communication from August
26 -October 18, 2002. Another batch of 15 journalists is currently attending
training at IIMC from January 20, 2003.
* A team from the Ministry of I&B
has visited Kabul and submitted a feasibility study for rehabilitation
of some of I& B facilities in Afghanistan.
* Indian Council of Cultural Relations
has allocated two slots to Afghanistan for learning music in India.
Security and Rule of Law
Police
* Training was imparted to 250 Afghan
police officers and cadets in twelve different courses in India from July-September
2002.
Judiciary
* Training of 18 Afghan judges and
lawyers has commence on February 24, 2003 at the Indian Law Institute,
New Delhi.
Agriculture
* Nearly 47 tons of vegetable seeds
have been supplied to the Ministry of Agriculture of Afghanistan in two
Phases in Aug- Sept 2002 and February 2003.
* 15 officials from the Ministry
of Agriculture are attending training in the field of Cooperative Farming
and Marketing at RICM, Banglore from December 23, 2002.
* 16 officials from the Ministry
of Agriculture are receiving training in Operation & Maintenance of
Agricultural machinery and equipment at CFMTTI, Budni, Bhopal from January
20, 2003.
Information Technology
* A LAN network with Internet access
via VSAT was established alongwith supply of necessary equipment in the
office of the Foreign Minister of Interim Administration of Afghanistan.
The LAN has been extended to additional twenty nodes alongwith supply of
necessary equipment.
* A computer-training centre was
set up in Kabul from July 02- Jan 03 for providing computer training to
Afghan officials. The centre was handed over to the Afghan Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in January 2003.
Banking
* Three experts from RBI were deputed
to assist Central Bank of Afghanistan in July 2002.
Urban Development
* Orders have been placed for supply
of Civil engineering lab equipment and Measuring Instruments for the Ministry
of Urban Development and Housing of Afghanistan. The supply is expected
to reach Kabul in March-April 2003.
Infrastructure Development
Road Construction
* Feasibility survey has been conducted
for upgradation of road from Delaram to Zaranj.
Water Resources
* WAPCOS has conducted detailed
Project Reports on rehabilitation of Mini/ Micro hydro projects, Khanabad
Irrigation Project, Quargha reservoir and Amir Ghazi Dam.
* WAPCOS has conducted the field
survey and water analysis to identify the proposed location of 50 tube
wells in Herat province of Afghanistan.
* A team of experts from WAPCOS
visited Afghanistan from Sept 30-Oct 9, 2002 for conducting Feasibility
study of completion of Salma Dam Project in Herat Province. Based on the
findings of the team, approval has been accorded to WAPCOS for carrying
out a detailed project report. The team is expected to visit the dam site
for detailed survey in March-April 2003.
Commerce
* A team of experts from Central
Warehousing Corporation has visited Kandahar in November 2002 for carrying
out a feasibility study of construction of cold storage in the city.
Industry
* A team from Ministry of Small
Scale Industries and NSIC has visited Afghanistan and carried out feasibility
study for rehabilitation of Industrial Park in Kabul.
Training
* Two batches of 20 Afghan Diplomats
each have been trained at the Foreign Service Institute in February-May
and August-November 2002.
* Training of 15 official from
Presidential Secretariat of Afghanistan at Foreign Service Institute commenced
on October 7, 2002 for a period of twenty-two weeks.
* Two Afghan diplomats attended
a two-week module on Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats in January
2003.
* Six Afghan doctors and paramedics
from Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health attended training in areas
of their specialisation at All India Institute of Medical Sciences from
August 19-November 18, 2002. Extension was provided to one of the trainees
for advanced training for three months.
* A batch of 15 Afghan journalists
was provided training at Indian Institute of Mass Communication from August
26 -October 18, 2002. Another batch of 15 journalists is currently attending
training at IIMC from January 20, 2003.
* Two English language Instructors
have been teaching English at the Institute of Diplomacy since Feb 2002
to around 180 officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Government
Departments of Afghanistan.
* Two additional English language
teachers have been approved for deputation to Kabul from March 2003 to
teach English at the Ministries of Information & Culture and Labour
& Social Welfare.
* A computer-training centre was
set up in Kabul from July 02- Jan 03 for providing computer training to
Afghan officials. The centre was handed over to the Afghan Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in January 2003.
* Training was imparted to 250
Afghan police officers and cadets in twelve different courses in India
from July-September 2002.
* Training of 18 Afghan judges
and lawyers by Indian law Institute, Delhi is expected to commence on February
24, 2003.
* 15 officials from the Ministry
of Agriculture are attending training in the field of Cooperative Farming
and Marketing at RICM, Banglore from December 23, 2002.
* 16 officials from the Ministry
of Agriculture are receiving training in Operation & Maintenance of
Agricultural machinery and equipment at CFMTTI, Budni, Bhopal from January
20, 2003.
* 51 Ariana Afghan Airlines officials
have been trained by Air India.
* Fifty slots have been allocated
to Afghanistan for training at various institutes in India under Indian
Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme. 41 Afghan nationals have
attended the training under the Programme during 2002.
* 10 slots have been allocated
to Afghanistan under General Cultural Scholarship Scheme of Indian Council
of Cultural Relations for higher studies in India.
* Indian Council of Cultural Relations
has allocated two slots to Afghanistan for learning music in India.
