London: India will provide 500 fellowships
over next five years to Afghan students besides absorbing 200
aspirants each year in programmes in agriculture and related
areas, as part of initiatives to build indigenous capacities
in the war-torn nation.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna announced two new
initiatives to assist in faculty and student development in
the agriculture sector in Afghanistan at the one-day
conference on Afghanistan here.
"We shall provide a 100 fellowships every year for the
next five years for Afghans to pursue Masters and PHD
programmes in Indian Universities for rapidly building
expertise in this area," Krishna said.
"We will also support sending 200 fresh students to India
each year for five years for degree programmes in agriculture
and related areas," he announced.
Addressing the conference, hosted by British Premier
Gordon Brown and attended by over 60 foreign ministers,
Krishna said the "principal objective of India`s development
partnership, covering the entire country and straddling all
sectors of development, is to build indigenous Afghan
capacities and institutions".
He said he was happy to announce India`s strong support
to the proposed Afghan national institution building project.
Krishna said India last year contributed to bringing
Uzbek electricity to Kabul by constructing 202 kms
transmission line.
PTI
