New Delhi, June 28
Seeking to hard-sell Afghanistan to the private sector, India today asked the international community to invest liberally in the trouble-torn nation to ensure that the political or security vacuum arising in there after the drawdown by international forces in 2014 was not filled by extremists once again.

Addressing the day-long ‘Delhi Investment Summit on Afghanistan’ here, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said: “We feel that foreign investment and domestic private sector development, both small and large scale, can play a role. Let the grey suits of company executives take the place of olive green or desert brown fatigues of soldiers; and CEOs, the place of Generals.’’

The meet was attended by Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul and officials and businessmen from 33 countries, including Pakistan, China, Russia, the US and Iran. The objective of the conclave, the first of its kind hosted by India, was to attract foreign investment into Afghanistan in the light of new opportunities opening up in areas like mining, hydrocarbons and infrastructure, and badly needed investments in traditional sectors like agriculture, industry, capacity-building, health and services, after three decades of conflict.

Economic growth with massive investment in infrastructure and other key areas of the country’s economy would itself become an important factor in the improvement of the security situation, senior Indian officials said.

Calling upon the international community to act together in the interest of the collective security of Afghans and the global community, the Indian minister said: “We need to offer a narrative of opportunity to counter the anxiety of withdrawal, uncertainty, instability and foreign interference.’’

Investments, he said, could provide hope for employment, training and opportunity for the future. “We encourage our industries to venture into Afghanistan in numbers together with Afghan partners.’’

Underlining that Afghanistan had suffered three decades of conflict and violence that had destroyed the structures of the state, he regretted that the embattled nation still remained a special case for development and technical assistance in the years to come.

Krishna made it clear that India would continue to pursue its vision to stabilise Afghanistan through trade and investment and regional cooperation. “We invite international investors and regional countries to join in this vision for Afghanistan individually or in partnership with others.’’

In his address, Afghan Minister Rassoul sought to dispel fears over security in his country, saying the investors would not only be rewarded with significant returns but also play an important role in the restoration of peace and stability within the region.

’’It is important to note that investors who choose to invest in Afghanistan will not only be rewarded with significant returns on their investments, but they will also play a vital role in the restoration of peace and security within the region,’’ he said.

Admitting that there were certain areas in Afghanistan where the security was not ideal, he said these areas, however, represented a small part of the country.