NEW DELHI: India has asserted that its projects worth $3b in Afghanistan speaks for itself and has regretted the ignorance of American officials after President Donald Trump mocked PM Narendra Modi over the utility of Delhi sponsored “library” in the landlocked country.President Trump on Wednesday mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for funding a library in Afghanistan, saying he doesn’t know how many use it.Meanwhile, India hopes to have meaningful consultations with US envoy for Taliban peace talks Zalmay Khalilzad during his possible visit here next week for Raisina Dialogue. Khalilzad had twice skipped visiting India since November and Delhi was particularly not satisfied with India not being adequately consulted on Afghan reconciliation efforts.The Indian government justified its development partnership with Afghanistan instead of boots on the ground. “India firmly believes in the critical role that developmental assistance can play in transforming human lives. India does not send its armed forces abroad except under the specific mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Operations,” sources told ET.In Afghanistan, India plays a significant role as a development partner, they said. “This partnership is built on the specific needs and requirements worked out with the government of Afghanistan. It is aimed at the welfare of the people of Afghanistan and for a tangible improvement in the lives of its people,” a source said, adding, “India seeks to build capacities and capabilities of Afghan nationals and its institutions for governance and delivery of public service, develop socio-economic infrastructure, secure lives and promote livelihood.”While stating that he got along with Modi, Trump said Modi was “constantly telling me he built a library in Afghanistan”.“You know what that is? That’s like five hours of what we spend,” Trump said. “And we’re supposed to say, ‘Oh, thank you for the library.’ I don’t know who’s using it in Afghanistan,” Trump said.It was unclear which project Trump was referring to, but India has committed $3 billion in assistance to Afghanistan since 2001. An Afghan civil society member Parwiz Kawa said that Trump may have confused the Parliament building with the library.Indian projects have included the reconstruction of an elite high school in Kabul and scholarships to India for 1,000 Afghan students each year. India considers these as important steps as soft power connect along with Bollywood and cricket.“India has helped to build Parliament, if that is what he is referring to or Salma Dam, transmission lines, roads and over 400 high-impact community development projects. Delhi is probably third or fourth largest single country donor,” sources said, adding it appears that the US President’s statement is a matter of poor briefing by officials around him.Inaugurating the Afghan Parliament building in 2015 after reconstruction financed by India, Modi promised to promote programmes “empowering Afghan youth with modern education and professional skills”. Besides India has announced that it will assist 116 small development projects in Afghanistan.