Q. 6727 .WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the United States has reiterated its commitment regarding total withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan by 2014 and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether India and international community is quite apprehensive about the security void that might arise after withdrawal of NATO forces led by America and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is contemplating any dialogue with America in this regard; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)

(a) The United States has announced the drawdown of 34,000 U.S. troops out of the 68,000 U.S. troops currently deployed in Afghanistan by February 2014, and has reiterated its commitment to maintaining an “enduring presence” in Afghanistan. The U.S. and Afghanistan are currently negotiating a Bilateral Security Agreement which will define the troop strength, mission mandate and other modalities for the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014.

(b) to (d) India and the United States share a commitment to promote a stable, democratic, prosperous and independent Afghanistan. The two countries hold regular consultations on the situation in Afghanistan, including in trilateral format with the Government of Afghanistan, on all issues ranging from political and security matters to trade, commerce, investment, and development assistance.

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