Karzai in India to boost ties

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai waves to media representatives upon his arrival at New Delhi's Palam Air Force Airport yesterday. Karzai arrived in India on a three-day visit for talks on economic relations, countering terrorism and regional growth. PHOTO: AFP

Afghanistan has received hundreds of millions of dollars in development aid from India in the past four years, but its ties with Pakistan have strained after Karzai asked Islamabad to do more to stop Taliban militants infiltrating the border.

"Well, we are very happy in Afghanistan with India helping us in a manner that is not expected," Karzai told Doordarshan, in comments aired on Sunday before his arrival.

Karzai starts the official leg of his five-day trip on Monday and will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

India, which did not recognise the radical Taliban regime, lost its foothold in the rugged country where arch rival Pakistan held diplomatic sway for years before the September 2001 attacks on the United States sparked a US-led invasion.

India is now involved in training Afghanistan's police and diplomats, building roads, hospitals and supporting trade and services as Afghanistan tries to rebuild its war-ravaged economy, despite continuing attacks by Taliban and al-Qaeda insurgents.

Singh visited Afghanistan last August.

"India went out of its way to provide us with great economic assistance. India's help is reaching up to $600 million. It has helped us in all walks of life," Karzai said.

Analysts in Pakistan, which has fought three wars with India, said Islamabad was worried over India's growing influence in Afghanistan, which borders Pakistani territory.

"Pakistan should improve its relations with Afghanistan to check the growing Indian influence," said Hasan Askari Rizvi, Lahore-based foreign policy analyst.

"The visit should not be a cause of concern for Pakistan because it can't stop it. But the growing influence of India in Afghanistan creates problems for Pakistan."