India rebuffs Trump over 'Afghan library' swipe
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NEW DELHI: India rejected US President Donald Trump’s comments mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for funding a library in Afghanistan, saying on Thursday that New Delhi has provided $3 billion in development assistance to the war-torn country.
The US president on Wednesday took a swipe at what he claimed were Modi’s frequent comments on building the library: “You know what that is? That’s like five hours of what we spend. “And we’re supposed to say, ‘Oh, thank you for the library.’ I don’t know who’s using it in Afghanistan,” Trump said.
A statement provided by government sources in New Delhi said “India plays a significant role as a development partner,” in Afghanistan, with projects aimed at achieving “a tangible improvement in the lives of its people”.
As the “largest donor in the region”, New Delhi has helped with infrastructure projects, humanitarian assistance and economic development, the statement said.
Highlights include a 218-kilometre road, a dam providing irrigation to farmers and training programmes for more than 3,500 Afghans in India.
New Delhi has also provided 1.1 million tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan as well as a 400-bed children’s hospital built in 1972 and renovated after the fall of the Taliban in 2002.
Ram Madhav, general secretary of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said on Twitter that India was “building lives” in Afghanistan.
Ahmed Patel, a lawmaker and a senior member of the opposition Congress party, tweeted that the “tenor and tone” of the US leader’s remarks was “not in good taste & is completely unacceptable”.
Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2019
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Comments (99) Closed
Jan 04, 2019 10:00am
America will be whipped out with in 10 days from Afghanistan if all of it's ally withdraw.
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Jan 04, 2019 10:05am
Truth speaks truth
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Jan 04, 2019 10:06am
Someone was very right about Indians being small-hearted. They do a little and bluff like anything.
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Jan 04, 2019 10:49am
Pakistan should also help our Afghan brothers by providing training to its youth in the areas of education, technology, building social infrastructure, medicine, agriculture, defense, etc.
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Jan 04, 2019 10:51am
President Trump thought bombing Afghanistan is an investment, for a return of peace as a businessman, where as Modi thought development and construction, would change the lives of Afghan, without any return.
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Jan 04, 2019 10:51am
The Indians still have far to go and much to learn of American chicanery. Why are we in Pakistan not surprised. Salams
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Jan 04, 2019 11:34am
The Indian government is still bragging about a children's hospital that they built in Afghanistan apparently 50 odd years ago (in 1972). No wonder Trump got furious with Modi, so what if you built a library there!
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Jan 04, 2019 11:34am
@Memon, Ask Afghans.
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Jan 04, 2019 11:45am
There are 500 million Indians living below poverty line Instead of focusing on that India is building things in another country it’s nothing but misplaced priorities
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Jan 04, 2019 12:07pm
@Tonisha Decarlo, Really?
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Jan 04, 2019 12:10pm
Trump should stop getting his briefing from Fox News and start consulting his advisors and generals more.
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Jan 04, 2019 12:10pm
why India had provided $3 Billion for Afghanistan, It hard to digest, country like India where their own people have no option other than to live on footpaths, India had paid on account of development assistance to Afghanistan that is a Muslim country.
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Jan 04, 2019 12:13pm
In terms of western nation do more means kill more muslims.In terms of Asian nation like India doing more means giving grants building infrastructure. It's just confusion and nothing.
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Jan 04, 2019 12:28pm
@Cricketer, agreed that American will be out but what happens after that in Afghanistan , another war crippled land just like Syria where militias backed by different countries kill each other ? and common people flee the area to neighbors to avoid violence..
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Jan 04, 2019 12:28pm
@Amjad, are going to lend money from someone and give it to Afghanistan.
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Jan 04, 2019 12:32pm
@Iram, uo6u will not understand beacuse you look only through the prisim of religion and not humanity
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Jan 04, 2019 12:34pm
@Memon, This is what you say as Pakistani but According to a 2010 Gallup poll, which interviewed 1,000 adults, 50% Afghans approved of the job performance of India's leadership and 44% disapproved with 6% refusing to answer. Afghans should decide what is good for them.
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Jan 04, 2019 12:35pm
India got what it deserves....
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Jan 04, 2019 12:37pm
Let the Afghan people assess what India did for them.
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Jan 04, 2019 12:50pm
@RAJA CHILL, you believe on that surveys
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Jan 04, 2019 12:51pm
@Iram,
Salaamaa Lekum
Agreed there are many many more problems faced by India related to poverty.
You are questioning the wisdom of Indians to spend scarce resources in Afghanistan.
We very much appreciated your criticism
But what about procurement of Frigates and many more defence related things from China spending large amount. That too loan with interest. On one hand seeking help from Saudi, Arab Emirates, China and IMF
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Jan 04, 2019 12:53pm
A very good reply by India for both ruling party and opposition congress party. A good news by Dawn for sharing the humanitarian assistance numbers, which has also received positive response from many Afghan leaders.. A very mature and politically correct response by India.
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Jan 04, 2019 12:59pm
@BhaRAT: 500 millions!!! have done this survey..??
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Jan 04, 2019 01:03pm
Looks like India HAS done good in Afghanistan.
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Jan 04, 2019 01:14pm
Trump is a man of less words so he tried to appreciate India but words of appreciation he missed and trapped in the library.
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Jan 04, 2019 01:18pm
USA is displeased because India is buying Iranian oil to help Iran during sanctions.
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Jan 04, 2019 01:20pm
Trump seems to claim that US spent $1400 Billion on Afghanistan during his tenure, that doesn't sound right.
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Jan 04, 2019 01:21pm
Prosperity will come to Afghanistan or any other country only after they value education and libraries more than guns and wars. Trump is venting out his frustration of not being able to convince India to send it’s troops to Afghanistan.
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Jan 04, 2019 01:26pm
Dear Pakistani Friends,
Pl. understand one fact that if America withdraw's from Afghanistan then refugees in your country will be doubled in no time. It will be refugee crisis for the countries who are bordering Afghanistan.
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Jan 04, 2019 01:27pm
India's total investment in support of US occupation far exceeds $3 Billion, now that it is turning out to be a bad investment, they are hiding the true figures.
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Jan 04, 2019 01:34pm
@Ali kazmi, Helping a neighbor is not a bad investment.
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Jan 04, 2019 01:34pm
I guess trump got a bit irritated with Indian behavior by providing life assistance in that region where US is embroiled in full-fledged wars with Talibaans. Though that behavior makes India a well-wisher of Afghan and depicts bad image of America on the other hand. I think, this is why he made a mock comment.
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Jan 04, 2019 01:37pm
@BhaRAT, "There are 500 million Indians living below poverty line"
Source please?
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Jan 04, 2019 01:49pm
India provides humanitarian assistance, training, infrastructure etc, while US destroys everything
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Jan 04, 2019 01:49pm
@Memon, Those who live off aid can never appreciate India's effort.
Many Pakistani s have accepted that India's money may be small but it's impact is high and touches people's lives.
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Jan 04, 2019 01:50pm
@BhaRAT
Even USA has poor people. It doesn't mean they should not help others. The same is true for India.
India is doing far better than Pakistan because its priorities are far better. Do something positive for neighbours instead of trying to interfere for influence
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Jan 04, 2019 02:02pm
Any society if wants to improve will need educational institutions and library is integral part of it. After independence, when the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter were the most priority, India still established IITs, IISc, IIMs, without waiting for everything else to be fulfilled first, and got the benefits since 1990s. Afghanistan is in that situation, where education cannot pause because remaining things are not up to the mark. President Trump's knowledge about education is less said, is better; obviously President Obama would have understood it.
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Jan 04, 2019 02:09pm
@Venkat, don't you forget Pakistan was hosting millions of Afghani since USSR invasion and later from Nato Forces Invasion. Did Indian army fought in Afghanistan side by side with Nato forces.. 3Billion is just a peanut if compare with Pakistans supports to Afghan refugees from day first till today..
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Jan 04, 2019 02:09pm
India wants the US to do its bidding in Afghanistan and also spend American money while at it, Money minded trump would have enough sooner than later.No wonder he is now looking forward to meeting the "great folks" from Pak.
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Jan 04, 2019 02:43pm
Whatever happened to Modi 's unabashedly embrassing Trump? Was it a'fake' show of love?
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Jan 04, 2019 02:46pm
@Sunil,
Assuming the library provides information and not propaganda. Library, roads, institutions all have their own connotations for a nation under occupation.
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Jan 04, 2019 02:50pm
@Swiss Neutral,
When you choose others over your own poor, there is obviously an ulterior motive.
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Jan 04, 2019 02:54pm
@bryan joseph,
India's impact on Afghanistan would not Outlast the brutal miltary occupation that it is a part of.
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Jan 04, 2019 02:58pm
@Mike,
The first humanitarian assistance an occupied nation needs is deliverance from occupation.
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Jan 04, 2019 02:58pm
@Sanity, "The Indian government is still bragging about a children's hospital that they built in Afghanistan apparently 50 odd years ago (in 1972). No wonder Trump got furious with Modi, so what if you built a library there!"
Not sure if you ever went to the library or not. Or maybe you are from one of the elite families in Pakistan who can buy anything they like. A library is a source of information for people who want to help themselves change their lives. A village school is nothing but a small building but remember that same small building produced Abdus Salam....
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Jan 04, 2019 03:05pm
@Memon, so you love Mr Trump and all his statements then
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Jan 04, 2019 03:16pm
Modi should give us USD 3 Bn to us as well being a neighbour and we will ensure peace in border. Pakistan too is facing balance of payment issue. India's support will help to boost friendly relation between the two nation and help to resolve all pending issues.
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Jan 04, 2019 03:19pm
What else we can expect from Mr. Trump..
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Jan 04, 2019 03:28pm
@Ali kazmi, its not investment. Its a neighbor of centuries we fight we love we coexisyed for 1000years.
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Jan 04, 2019 03:35pm
Why US shows sudden to much sympathy towards Afghanistan? Well we can see Pakistan's Peace efforts starts effecting in Asia. Well done Pakistan Army and Govt.
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Jan 04, 2019 03:36pm
@Iram, muslim country is your take, for us it is a country and has humans in it , incidentally we probably have more muslims than they have in Afghanistan
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Jan 04, 2019 04:18pm
If India and the US are really sincere, why don't they start taking Afghan refugees? The fact it that the US/India have only used Afghanistan as a pawn to extend their power in this region. They have no interest in Afghanistan's stability.
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Jan 04, 2019 04:23pm
@Sanity, " The Indian government is still bragging about a children's hospital that they built in Afghanistan apparently 50 odd years ago (in 1972)." India has also build other projects as well. What USA has done other than ruining the country after country. Name one project USA has build in Afghanistan. Thanks to India.
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Jan 04, 2019 04:27pm
@BhaRAT, and you still spend money on Kashmir, while 200million pakistanis are under poverty line.
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Jan 04, 2019 04:40pm
@BhaRAT, I think same logic apply on you
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Jan 04, 2019 04:40pm
Trump wants India to fight their war in Afghanistan like Pakistan was and is doing for them. Americans have the tendency to poke their nose everywhere and when unable retrieve it accuse every one in the world.
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Jan 04, 2019 05:40pm
Five hours of what Mr Trump. Bombing Afghans.That India will not do.Aid may be small in amount but that is the only way India can generate goodwill.Building a library is better than dropping mother of all bombs.Anyway if the next government in Afghanistan wants to stop Indian aid it can do so.
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Jan 04, 2019 05:49pm
Modi will not oblige Trump sending Indian troops to Afghanistan despite his taunts.
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Jan 04, 2019 05:55pm
Money minded Trump is not expected to understand the true value of learning. I can relate present situation in Afghanistan to India in 50s and 60s. We were poor, but yet education was top priority parents had for their children. There are many cases of someone having to walk 5-10 kilometers daily to attend the schools, who many years later became IAS officers, Doctors, Engineers, Teachers, Scientists, etc. It all started with insignificant looking books.
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Jan 04, 2019 06:00pm
Good, India is investing in library, not in guns. India keep doing this, this will not harm anyone.
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Jan 04, 2019 06:01pm
Trump is in the habit of telling truth at times which is bitter. Indians can not fool the world.
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Jan 04, 2019 06:29pm
@Amjad, When you accomdate millions of Afghans in Pakistan for decades, if that’s not help, I don’t know what is. If India was really serious about helping the Afghans, they would take all those refugees
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Jan 04, 2019 06:45pm
Every nation has a obligation to rebuilt afghans
Regardless of his history.
Thats the way forward
Weather its hospital lib or school we all are part of it
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Jan 04, 2019 07:10pm
@Li-N-Ja, No one asked for it.
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Jan 04, 2019 07:15pm
India should feed its own 90% poor first.
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Jan 04, 2019 07:34pm
Trump is right
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Jan 04, 2019 07:43pm
What Trump means is that compared to US everyone has spend peanuts in Afghanistan i.e. What is $3 billion compared to $1 trillion? That is why Trump wants to get out of all these wars that his predecessors started because these wars are bleeding US dry and if not checked then US will go bankrupt just like USSR. Trump is a shrewd businessman who very well knows when one should cut his losses and walk out the venture as it is not profitable.
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Jan 04, 2019 08:27pm
Does US care what india replies?
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Jan 04, 2019 09:11pm
@Zak, Wrong statistics.
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Jan 04, 2019 09:25pm
@Zak,as usual, comment without substance and proof.
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Jan 04, 2019 09:40pm
Modi coming to his common senses after all that flattering style is over.
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Jan 04, 2019 10:11pm
India should avoid sending military to Afganistan, they should work closely with Russia, China and Pakistani to bring stability and keep US out forever.
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Jan 04, 2019 10:27pm
I stand with india on this
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Jan 04, 2019 10:37pm
India’s role in development of Afghanistan is commendable and the world knows it. The statement of Trump cannot diminish it.
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Jan 04, 2019 10:46pm
@saeed, does India care what US comments.
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Jan 04, 2019 11:05pm
@P Setra, You mean the 3 million Afghans refugees in Pakistan.
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Jan 04, 2019 11:09pm
Trump has exposed India. Hope he mentions IOK next.
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Jan 04, 2019 11:12pm
@Memon, “Small men in big offices” will ‘talk big and deliver little’.
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Jan 04, 2019 11:24pm
Interesting times India is talking against America
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Jan 04, 2019 11:25pm
Modi the Library Builder!
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Jan 04, 2019 11:40pm
@Tonisha Decarlo, your comments do make me laugh..
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Jan 04, 2019 11:55pm
@Amjad, - wouldn't you like to repay your loans first?
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Jan 05, 2019 12:38am
Real Afghanis dislike Indians
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Jan 05, 2019 01:52am
@Zak,Trump totally confused and he is unclear which project he 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.
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Jan 05, 2019 02:41am
@Zak, wrong statistics
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Jan 05, 2019 03:24am
How about India taking in.afghanitsan refugees like Pakistan once did and continues to take? 2 billion dollarsn is like.a lose change for India... they are obviously free loaders and boarders in Afghanistan.
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Jan 05, 2019 03:39am
Trump is of course desperate to pass the mantle and divert money towards the wall
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Jan 05, 2019 04:35am
@Zak, 'India should feed its own 90% poor first.'
India is doing what it needs to. Your concerns are not required.
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Jan 05, 2019 04:49am
Indians talk a lot of fluff
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Jan 05, 2019 06:07am
‘India rebuffs Trump over 'Afghan library' swipe’
More like , ‘ India bluffs Trump over Afghan library ‘
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Jan 05, 2019 06:33am
What ever they say, I agree with Trump on this one - Afghans and Libray are miles apart
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Jan 05, 2019 07:19am
@Memon, $3 billion is not exactly small change!
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Jan 05, 2019 08:10am
And all the books in the library are in Hindi language written by BJP writers! Afghans are loving these books!
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Jan 05, 2019 10:41am
@Zak, Smaller men in smaller office walk around looking for hand outs.
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Jan 05, 2019 12:04pm
@P Setra, which Afgan tribe are we talking about the US / India lovers or the others!
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Jan 05, 2019 05:02pm
Mr. Trump does not keep any thing to himself, he is blunt, truthful and speaks his mind whether some one likes it or not.
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Jan 06, 2019 12:47pm
Indians did donate $3B of their own money. They did not give loans or drew repayment schemes. What's wrong in reminding the good they did? it should be acknowledged. If someone did a noble or constrictive deed then we should appreciate it.
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Jan 06, 2019 01:22pm
America feels India didn't put boots on ground. India has said that it will provide troops if asked for under UN peace keeping force to stabilize Afghanistan.
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Jan 06, 2019 07:03pm
@BhaRAT, Instead of building clinics and hospitals, they built a statue of a Gujarati. STATUE OF UNITY built at an estimated cost of Rs 2989 crore(total project cost is US$ 411 million ). They could have built more than 200 clinics, or well equiped Primary Schools.
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