Indian Aid to Afghanistan Enhanced

New Delhi, Jan 18 (UNI) India today announced enhancement in its assistance to war-ravaged Afghanistan -- up by 100 Million Dollars from the current 650 Million Dollars.

The enhancement came barely five days ahead of a proposed two-day visit to Kabul by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee from January 23 -- primarily to invite Afghan President Hamid Karzai for the 14th SAARC Summit to be held here during April next.

The decision in this regard was taken here today at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told mediapersons shortly thereafter.

''We have decided to enhance cooperation and support to Afghanistan from US Dollars 650 million to US Dollars 750 million (about Rs 3,375 crore)'', Minister Mukherjee said.

The CCS Meeting also approved the brief for Mr Mukherjee's forthcoming Afghanistan visit.

Since 2001, India has been providing assistance to war-ravaged Afghanistan for its reconstruction and development.

UNI