Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Afghanistan is very keen to get Indian companies to invest in mining to create local employment;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the response received in this regard so far;

(d) whether India eyes $ I trillion fortune in Afghanistan mining hotbed and also in some other countries in the current year;

(e) if so, the details thereof, country-wise in the Eleventh Five Year Plan also; and

(f) the present status thereof and the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed in this regard so far?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SMT. PRENEET KAUR)

(a) to (f) The Government of Afghanistan has conveyed its interest in Indian mining companies investing in the mineral sector in Afghanistan. Some Indian companies have expressed a preliminary interest in investing in the Afghan mining sector. As a strategic partner of Afghanistan, Government would welcome the interest of Indian industry in commercially viable projects that could contribute to Afghanistan’s economic growth and development. Currently India’s involvement in Afghanistan’s mining sector consists of capacity building in areas such as technical training programmes and environmental and social management in the mining industry.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220216737.

Lok Sabha

Afghanistan

South Asia