Modi for slow, gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, to prevent Iraq like situation

New York, 30 September 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today while interacting at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York said that he believes America should not leave Afghanistan like it vacated Iraq.

Shri Modi said what happened in Iraq after America’s departure should not repeat in Afghanistan. The process of leaving Afghanistan should be slower to prevent Iraq like situation there.

India, he said, had told the US that the process of withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan should be slow to stop the rise of Taliban.

“We want Afghanistan which recently held the Presidential elections and formed a new government to grow democratically,” he said.

“The process of withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan should be very slow. Afghanistan should be allowed to stand on its feet and then only can it stop the rise of the Taliban,” Modi said.

When asked whether arbitration is a way out to resolve border disputes with China, Prime Minister Modi firmly said that both India and China are capable to resolve their border issues mutually and there’s no need of arbitration.

Prime Minister Modi during his speech spoke about ease of process he is bringing in. He also spoke about his government’s decision to introduce 100% Foreign Direct Investment in Railways.

During the interaction session, in reply to various questions, Shri Modi shared his Gujarat initiatives like girl child education fund for which he generated Rs. 79 crore through auction of gifts received by him during public functions, school enrollment movement for which he moved through villages and achieved 100% result and more.

Indian news channels interviewed several Americans in refreshment session, all in one voice said that Modi’s address and interaction both were impressive.

This was Shri Modi’s last event in New York.