- Mohammad Aman Amin, Consul General, Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan India is helping Afghanistan rebuild its infrastructure in a big way. Along with implementing infrastructure projects worth $2 billion, our country is also eyeing small development projects. India´s relevance to Afghanistan becomes even more apparent when you consider that despite lack of direct land access, it is the country´s second largest destination for exports. What´s more, the Iranian port of Chabahar is on its way to becoming a transit hub bypassing Pakistan - a definite alternate route for both countries. Mohammad Aman Amin, Consul General, Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, shares more with SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN. Tell us about the key projects both countries are collaborating on. From early times, India is one of the most important trade partners for Afghanistan and vice versa. And, after signing the strategic partnership agreement between the two countries in October 2011, this relationship has become stronger. India has supported Afghanistan in attaining SAARC membership and in other regional processes like the Heart of Asia, Istanbul Process on Afghanistan. India is one of the biggest donors to the Government of Afghanistan. The signing of the strategic partnership agreement shows the interest and commitment between both countries to improve cooperation in different areas like politics, security, economy, education and capacity building in social and cultural areas. As Afghanistan's strategic partner, India has donated more than $2 billion in different projects, especially in building the country´s infrastructure. At present, both countries are working on Haji Gak iron mining, the Chabahar port, and have successfully completed the Afghanistan parliament building in Kabul. India, Iran and Afghanistan have signed an agreement to turn the Iranian port of Chabahar into a transit hub bypassing Pakistan... Chabahar port is the biggest cooperative achievement between India and Afghanistan. With the opening of this port, both countries will have an alternative transit route, which will reduce the dependence of their trade on Pakistan ports, and India will be able to reach Afghanistan and central Asia. At present, the biggest export destination for poor quality products from Pakistan is Afghanistan; the inauguration of the Chabahar transit route will enable us to have more options for import in our country. Therefore, it is the responsibility of both countries to inaugurate this port at a high level of operational capacity. His Excellency Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, has called the signing of this tripartite agreement a vital step to expand regional cooperation, saying: ´We thank the Indian and Iranian governments and nations for their belief and support to stability and peace in Afghanistan; some of the countries in the region export terrorism, while we export hope and cooperation. Central Asia, Europe and China can be part of this joint cooperation.´ Last year, the Government of India conveyed the approval of the third phase of ´Small Development Projects´ in Afghanistan. Tell us more about these projects. Last year, during the visit of HE Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Government of India assured its future cooperation and announced another $20 million to implement 92 small-scale projects in health, agriculture, public work, education, rural areas, labour, social affairs and sports in Afghanistan. India has been involved in massive developmental efforts in the war-torn country. Please comment. India's cooperation to Afghanistan has been present from early times. During the time of King Zahir Shah, former king of Afghanistan, India constructed the Indira Gandhi Hospital in Kabul. And, it has continued supporting the Afghan government in over the past two decades by donating more than $2 billion to Afghanistan. In fact, it is the fifth largest donor to the country, after the US, UK, Japan and Germany. India has built the Afghanistan parliament. And, the Afghan-India Friendship Dam in Herat province, built at around $700 million, has the capacity to generate 42 MW and irrigate 200,000 hectare of agricultural land in Herat and neighbouring provinces. The Friendship Dam was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Kabul last year. In addition, India has financed projects in remote areas across Afghanistan, built a cricket stadium in the Kandahar province, and has constructed the 218-km Delaram-Zaranj road. What are other investment opportunities for Indian companies in Afghanistan? India is a great trade partner to Afghanistan and can invest in different business opportunities that are untapped. There will definitely be a high business return in irrigation, construction, dams, mining, health, education, industries, processing, packing and import of Afghanistan dry and fresh fruits. Indian investors are welcome and the Government of Afghanistan will provide all required assistance to them. Despite the lack of direct land access, India is the second-largest destination for Afghan exports... Although we do not have direct access to the Indian market, India is one of the biggest destinations for our exports. Hopefully, by inaugurating Chabahar port, the volume of mutual trade will see a remarkable increase. India will be the biggest export and import destination for Afghanistan because the people of Afghanistan see India as a historical and trustworthy friend. What are the challenges in our bilateral economic relationship? The biggest challenge for the trade between both countries is security concerns. Another challenge is the non-existence of direct access between the Afghanistan and Indian markets. Fortunately, both governments are trying to find alternatives to expand trade relations and Chabahar is one example of these efforts. To share your views on this interview, write in at feedback@ConstructionWorld.in