February 5, 2002
India sends 20,000 blankets to Afghanistan PTI New Delhi, February 4
As part of its humanitarian aid, India has sent 20,000 blankets for the people of Afghanistan in the Herat area. The blankets weighing 40 tonnes have been flown to Iran from where they will be transported by road, an external affairs ministry spokesperson told reporters. India has already pledged one million tonnes of wheat to be routed through the World Food Programme and a line of credit of $100 million to the war-ravaged country. Besides sending large quantity of medical supplies, India has offered all possible assistance in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Afghanistan. On its part, Afghanistan has sought Indian help in education, setting up hospitals, roads and telecommunications. A special request has also been made to New Delhi to help raise an Afghan Army. Key Afghan ministers in the interim administration, including Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, Interior Minister Younous Qanooni and Uzbek strongman Ahmad Rashid Dostum have undertaken visits to New Delhi to thank India for its support and seek its continued assistance in the rebuilding of Afghanistan.
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