Modi, Xi agree to work on a joint economic project in Afghanistan: Sources | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Modi, Xi agree to work on a joint economic project in Afghanistan: Sources

Hindustan Times, Wuhan | BySutirtho Patranobis
Apr 29, 2018 07:19 AM IST

The decision, that emerged at the end on the Modi-Xi summit in Wuhan, is likely to trigger reactions from Pakistan, which sees itself at the centre of any reconciliation process in the trouble-torn country.

India and China will for first time implement a joint economic project in war-torn Afghanistan, officials said on Saturday at the end of the two-day informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping walk along the East Lake in Wuhan, China, on Saturday.(Reuters photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping walk along the East Lake in Wuhan, China, on Saturday.(Reuters photo)

Follow live updates here

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

No details were immediately available about the project but it was learnt from people familiar with the decision that the two leaders reached consensus on working together for the development of Afghanistan and its people.

This is probably the first time India and China will work together on a developmental project in a third country.

India has for long had a presence in the development sector of Afghanistan and has provided billions of dollars for building and refurbishing vital infrastructure such as dams and highways.

China is emerging as a key player in Afghanistan, largely because of Beijing’s security concerns linked to terror groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

The path ahead for the India-China project will be diplomatically tricky as Beijing will have to convince its close ally Islamabad about it. Pakistan has always opposed any Indian presence in Afghanistan and has tried to position itself as the main player in any peace or reconciliation process.

China and Pakistan were part of a quadrilateral process along with the US and Afghanistan that was involved in trying to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. Despite several promises by Islamabad, it was never able to get the Taliban leadership to commit to any sort of peace process.

While India’s leadership has never publicly spoken about involving the Taliban in a peace process, China has openly advocated a key role for the militants in talks.

China, for the first time, held a trilateral meet with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan in December 2017 to narrow down differences between the two countries. It has also announced plans to extend its controversial China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan.

In December, Pakistan’s proposal to establish working panels in politics, military, intelligence, economy and refugees with Afghanistan was supported by China.

“The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to pushing forward the reconciliation process in Afghanistan, calling on the Taliban to join in the process. China and Pakistan expressed support for peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban,” official Xinhua news agency reported after the foreign ministers of the three countries met in Beijing in December.

This is not the first time New Delhi and Beijing have mulled cooperating in Afghanistan. In 2010, the two countries discussed collaborating in projects and joint initiatives in the country ahead of then prime minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to China.

Then national security advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and foreign minister Yang Jiechi had discussed launching joint projects in Afghanistan.

Even during former foreign secretary S Jaishankar’s visit to Beijing, for the restructured India-China Strategic Dialogue, Afghanistan had emerged as common ground in discussions. Jaishankar had discussed the possibility of joint projects with Chinese officials.

At the end of the strategic dialogue, Jaishankar was quoted as saying that on Afghanistan, China’s policies were in tandem with India’s.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On