Afghanistan won seven gold medals, nine silver and 19 bronze taking its total tally to 35 at the 12th South Asian Games. Yet back in Kabul most of the praise is coming the way of India for its help in providing for free air-travel for the 214 strong Afghan contingent (51 women and 163 men). India also took care of the US$ 30 per person that the contingent would have to pay.

A request for India’s help for the Afghan contingent had come from the very top according to sources in the Afghan government. “Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, who was in India for a key security conclave in Jaipur, called on PM Narendra Modi to make the request which PM Modi immediately agreed to,” dna was told.

Shabaz Iraj, the spokesperson for the Afghan vice-president Abdul Rashid Dostum told dna on mail, “The Indian government and the people of India have always been supportive of Afghanistan and Afghan people as a long time friend. The latest gesture by the Indian government to fund the travel and accommodation of the Afghan contingent for the South Asian games is yet another clear indication that both India and Afghanistan are working very closely to strengthen this long term relationship for years to come.”

He further added, “As a friendly and positive neighbour, India has constantly made positive contributions to the betterment of Afghanistan as a nation. From initiatives such as the latest one involving the Afghan sports contingent to the construction of Afghanistan’s Parliament Building, the major dam project and many more friendly and productive partnerships, India has always shown that they are a true friend to Afghanistan. I believe as a result of such initiatives, our ties and friendship will only grow stronger.”

And it's not like only the government is praising India as an official formality. Many like internationally acclaimed Afghan singer-performer Aryana Sayeed have also been effusive in their praise for India. “The Indian government's friendly gesture of funding both the to & fro travel and the stay of the entire Afghan sports contingent for the South Asian Games is truly special and reaffirms how close India feels to Afghanistan,” she told dna.

Aryana Sayeed

As an artiste who has experienced what she calls “the warmth of Indian hospitality” she thanked the Indian PM Narendra Modi and his government for continuing to support Afghanistan. “Whether it is roads, dams or even our new parliament building, India has always been very kind and generous. This reaffirms the close bond we Afghans share with India for several millennia.”