U.S. Welcomes $1 Billion Indian Aid Pledge To Afghanistan

By siliconindia | Friday, 16 September 2016, 11:52 Hrs

WASHINGTON: The U.S. has welcomed the $1 billion aid pledge made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards development in Afghanistan.

"The fact that India is willing to invest in that future (of Afghanistan), we view it as a very positive sign and we appreciate India's effort," State Department Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference yesterday.

"This is something... We obviously support India's generosity and focus on Afghanistan and willingness to help Afghanistan become a stronger, independent country that has the stronger economic growth, certainly, and also has the capacity to defend itself and provide security to its people," Toner said.

He was responding to a question on the announcement made by Modi during a visit by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that India would make another $1 billion aid to this war-torn country. India has emerged as one of the largest donors of civilian aid to Afghanistan.