In the aftermath of decades of conflict, Afghanistan’s reconstruction has been one of the most challenging international efforts of our time. While major powers focused on military operations and security, one neighbor quietly undertook a different approach. India’s reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan represent a remarkable case of development diplomacy that has built goodwill, strengthened institutions, and created lasting connections between two nations with deep historical ties.
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Building roads to regional connectivity
Infrastructure development formed the backbone of India’s reconstruction efforts. Among the most significant projects was the 218-kilometer Zaranj-Delaram highway, which connects southwestern Afghanistan to Iran’s border and provides crucial access to the Chahbahar Port. Completed by India’s Border Roads Organisation, this road reduced travel time from 12-14 hours to just over two hours. The highway’s strategic importance extends beyond transportation-it offers Afghanistan an alternative trade route that bypasses Pakistan, enhancing the country’s economic independence.
The construction came at a heavy cost. Eleven Indian workers and 129 Afghan workers lost their lives during the project, some in terrorist attacks specifically targeting this development work. Yet India remained committed, understanding that connectivity infrastructure would be fundamental to Afghanistan’s economic recovery.
Beyond roads, India invested in power generation critical for the country’s development. The Salma Dam in Herat province, renamed the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, generates 42 megawatts of electricity while providing irrigation for 75,000 hectares of farmland. The project addresses both immediate energy needs and long-term agricultural sustainability. Additionally, India constructed a 220-kilovolt transmission line from Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul, bringing additional power from the northern grid to the capital city.
Supporting democratic institutions
India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s democratic future found expression in the construction of the new Afghan Parliament building in Kabul. This $90 million complex, inaugurated in 2015, stands as a symbol of India’s investment in Afghan governance institutions. The building features separate chambers for both houses of parliament, committee rooms, a library, and modern facilities designed to support legislative functions. The structure was built on a 100-acre plot and includes architectural elements that respect Afghan traditions while incorporating modern parliamentary requirements.
Addressing immediate humanitarian needs
While infrastructure projects provided long-term benefits, India also responded to Afghanistan’s urgent humanitarian crisis. One of the most impactful initiatives was the School Feeding Programme. India donated one million metric tons of wheat to the UN World Food Programme, which was converted into high-energy biscuits fortified with micronutrients. These biscuits were distributed daily to approximately 1.2 million Afghan schoolchildren across 32 provinces, encouraging school attendance and improving nutrition.
Healthcare represented another critical area of assistance. India established five Indian Medical Missions in Kabul, Herat, Jalalabad, Kandahar, and Mazar-e-Sharif, providing free medical consultation and medicines to over 30,000 patients monthly-totaling approximately 360,000 patients annually. The missions served the poorest populations, many traveling from distant provinces to access these services.
Rebuilding healthcare infrastructure
The reconstruction of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul demonstrated India’s commitment to restoring Afghanistan’s healthcare system. Originally built with Indian assistance in the 1970s but damaged during years of conflict, the hospital received new surgical blocks, a polyclinic, and modern diagnostic equipment including CT scan and MRI facilities. As the only major pediatric hospital in Afghanistan, its restoration had immediate impact on child healthcare across the country.
Investing in human capital development
Understanding that Afghanistan’s future depends on educated and skilled citizens, India created extensive education and training programs. Through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, India offers 1,000 annual scholarships to Afghan students for undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Indian universities. Since 2005, thousands of Afghan students have pursued higher education in India, creating a generation of professionals with strong ties to both countries.
These programs expanded to include online education options, recognizing the challenges Afghan students face. The e-Vidya Bharati platform allows students to pursue degrees from prestigious Indian institutions while remaining in Afghanistan, making education accessible despite security concerns and travel restrictions.
Building administrative capacity
Beyond formal education, India contributed to institutional capacity building. The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme provided 500 annual training slots for Afghan public servants in areas such as urban development, public administration, educational planning, and poverty reduction. Under the Capacity for Afghan Public Administration program, India deputed civil servants to Afghan government ministries as mentors and coaches, helping develop professional skills and institutional knowledge.
Vocational training programs addressed immediate employment needs. The India-Afghanistan Vocational Training Centre provided training in carpentry, plumbing, welding, masonry, and tailoring. A separate Women’s Vocational Training Centre at Bagh-e-Zanana offered training in garment making, nursery plantation, and food processing, targeting war widows and disadvantaged women.
Winning hearts and minds
The effectiveness of India’s approach became evident in public opinion surveys. A 2009 BBC/ABC/ARD poll found that 74 percent of Afghans held favorable views of India-the highest rating among all countries surveyed. This positive perception reflected appreciation for India’s development-focused assistance that directly benefited Afghan communities.
India’s cultural influence also played a significant role in building connections. Bollywood films and Indian television serials became hugely popular across Afghanistan, creating cultural familiarity and positive associations. This soft power complemented the hard infrastructure and capacity-building efforts, creating multiple channels of connection between the two peoples.
A model of development assistance
India’s reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan offer several important lessons. First, development assistance focused on Afghan priorities rather than donor preferences proved more effective and sustainable. India worked closely with Afghan government and local authorities to identify needs, ensuring projects aligned with national development strategies.
Second, the combination of large infrastructure projects with small community-based initiatives created both symbolic achievements and immediate local benefits. While the Parliament building and Salma Dam demonstrated commitment at a national level, the construction of schools, health clinics, and water points in border provinces brought tangible improvements to remote communities.
Third, investing in human capital through education and training created lasting impact beyond physical infrastructure. The thousands of Afghan students and professionals trained in India form networks that will shape Afghan institutions for decades.
What do you think? How important is it for development assistance to align with local priorities rather than donor interests? In what ways might capacity building and education programs create more sustainable development than infrastructure projects alone?
References
- https://www.mea.gov.in/uploads/publicationdocs/176_india-and-afghanistan-a-development-partnership.pdf
- https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/71-afghans-favour-india-2-pak-opinion-poll-752.html
- https://www.india.com/travel/articles/salma-dam-parliament-india-contribution-in-afghanistan-infrastructure-development-4903191/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan–India_relations
- https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistan-wfp-welcomes-india-donor-family-first-ever-donation-1-million-tons
- https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/india-offers-1000-e-scholarships-to-afghan-students-for-2025-26/
- https://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/story?id=6787686&page=1
- https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.13169/reorient.9.2.0007
- https://www.sanskritiias.com/current-affairs/indias-afghan-investment
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