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| An Afghan Air Force Mi-35 over Kandahar, 2009 (Image: Wiki Commons) |
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The aircraft would be the first offensive weapons supplied by New Delhi to Kabul.
India is considering transferring four Russian-made attack helicopters to Afghanistan to help the government in Kabul battle the ongoing insurgency in the country The Hindu reports.
The Afghan National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar and Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai will visit New Delhi this weekend to discuss details of the possible weapons transfer, according to an Indian government source interviewed by The Hindu.
The visit of the Afghan delegation is being seen as a “reach out” to India by the Afghan government the source explains. Afghanistan so far has received only limited military aid from India including a number of jeeps, three unarmed Cheetal Helicopters, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and periodic training programs for Afghan officers.
According to local media, India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, extended an invitation to his counterpart during a phone conversation 12 days ago. The Afghan delegation is also scheduled to meet with India’s Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. The major topic of discussion will first and foremost be the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.
Read the full story at The Diplomat