The international military drawdown from Afghanistan has consequently lead to a fall in the international financial assistance to the country as well. Against this background, the paper at hand explores India’s role in the future economic stabilisation of Afghanistan by examining the possibility of shifting away from quick impact projects and embracing alternative economic livelihoods programmes, critical for the long-term stability of the country.

The author, Dr D’Souza argues that for India, which has adopted a minimalist role in Afghanistan’s security sector, economic assistance is the most effective tool to further its security, economic and geopolitical interests vis-à-vis the conflict-ridden country in its extended neighbourhood. One of the largest bilateral donor nations to Afghanistan since 2001, India is now confronted with the challenge of maintaining its economic and development activities amidst drastic changes in the security and political dynamics within Afghanistan.

Read more in the paper on the findings and recommendations for future modalities of assistance between India and Afghanistan.

This publication is part of a collaboration of the FES Regional Peace and Security Programme and the FES Afghanistan office.