India’s assistance programmes are based on its abiding commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan. What are the main commitments made by India in recent times towards Afghanistan’s ongoing political, security and economic transition?

India has been one of the leading donor nations to Afghanistan post 2001 and has played a major role in Afghanistan’s security and economic transition. India’s extensive developmental assistance program which now stands at around US 3 billion is a strong signal of its commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan. Also, the new US strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia makes India one of the major stakeholders of Afghanistan to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan and the region.

Afghanistan is undergoing a sea change in education of women. What are the major steps in this direction taken by your Government?

As in other fields, the Afghan Government has been focused when it comes to education of women. There are many programs ongoing, such as government owned projects as well as projects by international community which creates educational facilities for Afghan women and girls.

Please talk us through the role being played by the India-Afghanistan Foundation…

India-Afghanistan Foundation has been playing a major role in enhancing cultural and educational ties between the two nations. Facilitating exchange programs, organizing seminars, symposia, colloquia and workshops on subjects of common interest, the India-Afghanistan Foundation boosts people to people relations and it also helps introduce cultures of both nations to each other.

Please give us an idea of the recent cultural and sporting exchanges between the two nations…

There have been many cultural and sporting exchanges between India and Afghanistan in the past. The good news is that we are going to organize the joint Indo-Afghanistan Cultural Week on 29th November where we will showcase both Indian and Afghan cultures for a week. We will be having concerts, products shows and art shows for the entire week.