Brussels Conference on Afghanistan

On 5 October, the European Union and the government of Afghanistan co-hosted the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan. This conference brought together 75 countries and 26 international organisations and agencies. Participants endorsed the ambitious reform agenda presented by the Afghan government. They undertook to ensure continued international political and financial support

for Afghanistan over the next four years.

The total sum committed by the international community is US$15.2 billion (+/- €13.6 billion). The EU and its member states committed to US$5.6 billion (+/- €5 billion).

This is an exceptional level of funding which ensures that Afghanistan will remain on a firm path to political and economic stability, state-building and development.

The regional stakeholders and the international community also reaffirmed their commitment to a political process towards lasting peace and reconciliation.

The Brussels meeting of 70 countries renewed the commitment enshrined in the 2001 Bonn Agreement, that they will help reconstruct Afghanistan and let her stand on her feet.

India and the world noted that the greatest challenge on the path of reconstruction of the war-torn country is the hydra-headed terrorism, besides physical barriers to trade.

India in a mark of unwavering faith in the people of Afghanistan has committed another $1 billion in aid. India has not only been an ally of Afghanistan, but a friend in tough times too.

Barring the dark phase of the Taliban rule, India has strongly been investing there. New Delhi had not lost any time to shoulder the responsibility of reconstruction of Afghanistan after the collapse of Taliban. The recently inaugurated Afghan Parliament and various dams to tap hydro-electricity potential along with ensuring drinking water needs stand mighty proof of India’s deeply rooted bond with the Afghan people.

The Brussels Summit came at a time when there is a growing fatigue in the world at the pace of reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. The earlier conferences, which were held in Tokyo in 2012 and London in 2014, had set out the reform path for Afghanistan.

The 2001 Bonn summit had laid the democratic path for the war-torn country.

The Afghanistan government had outlined the reform measures in the London summit. And, the 2002 and 2012 conferences in Tokyo had brought together a global pool of financial aides for reconstruction efforts.

The NATO in its last meeting too committed to pour $20 billion till 2020 to build professional security forces of Afghanistan.

The Brussels conference gave good opportunity for the global community to understand the threats to Afghanistan are from external forces.

Pakistan’s obsession to sponsor, nourish and export terrorism has been the cause of instability and violence in its’ neighbourhood. Brussels has given the loud message that the factory of terrorism must be shut down.