Trump mocks India PM over Afghanistan library

India rejected US President Donald Trump's comments mocking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for funding a library in Afghanistan, saying on Thursday (Jan 3) that New Delhi has provided $3 billion (US dollars) in development assistance to the war-torn country. (The US President on Wednesday took a swipe at what he claimed were Mr Modi's comments on building the library: "... we're supposed to say, 'Oh, thank you for the library.'".)

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 135 mile road, a dam providing irrigation to farmers, and job training programmes for more than 3,500 Afghans. New Delhi has also provided 1.1 million tons of wheat to Afghanistan as well as a 400-bed children's hospital ...

Mr Ram Madhav, general secretary of Mr Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said on Twitter that India was "building lives" in Afghanistan. "Trump should know that ... India has been building not only libraries, but roads, dams, schools and even Parliament building," he said.

Mr 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".

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/india-rebuffs-trumps-afghan-library-swipe-at-modi