Chinese envoy backs joint India-China projects in Afghanistan

BEIJING: Chinese special envoy for Afghanistan Sun Yuxi on Wednesday backed joint India-China projects for the reconstruction of the war-torn country.
He said China is convinced the two countries can jointly play a key role in Afghanistan's reconstruction.
"There are many projects in which China and India can work together. China and India are strategic partners, and we have sound cooperation on the Afghanistan issue," he said before leaving for Kabul.
Sun said investment is the best way to bring normalcy instead of resorting to the US method of sending troops.
"I think there will be a lot of need for more infrastructure, and there is a possibility of joint projects."
Sun said Chinese military will not be sent to Afghanistan as his government has no desire to fill the void that would be created after the US troop withdrawal.
"This idea about filling a void after the withdrawal of troops, I think it does not exist," he said. Sun said Beijing prefers a minimal US presence while countries like China and India are engaged in building infrastructure.
"We welcome the United States retaining some military bases for the time being and cooperate to help the Afghan people and government fight terrorism," he said.
"The new Afghan government should mainly be responsible for security. The United States is preparing to withdraw, and we welcome that."