What do Afghans think of Indians?

Last week I booked a taxi in a small Danish town to go to Airport at 3 AM. The driver was listening some songs. After a few minutes, I was shocked to found that the driver was listening old Hindi songs. The driver was from Afghanistan. I met 5 Afghans during my last trip and in total I have met more than 10 Afghans.

·         Afghans think that unlike Pakistan India does not interfering in their internal politics & ongoing civil war. India is perceived to be helping Afghanistan without any hidden agenda.

·         India is helping to build hospitals, dams, institutions (like parliament building), schools etc. One Afghan told me about Indira Gandhi hospital (a child hospital) in Kabul.

·         When they visit India, they don’t feel that they are in a foreign land. Unlike Pakistan, Afghans are treated well in India. Many Afghans are regularly harassed in Pakistan by local people & police who demand extortion money from Afghans.

·          India is a favorable destination for Afghan students. Thousands of Afghans students study in Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Bangalore, Manipal etc. They return to Afghanistan with a friendlier image of India.

·          India has a historical tie with Afghanistan dating back to 3-4000 years

·          Generally, Afghans hate Pakistan and enemy of enemy is always a friend. Even Pak sponsored terrorist group Taliban didn’t recognize Durand Line as legitimate border when Taliban was ruling Afghanistan.

·          Then there is Bollywood factor. Many Afghans can understand Urdu and Hindi and Urdu have same origin. Afghans are very proud that many Indian actors like, Shahrukh khan, Salman Khan, Kadar Khan etc. are of Afghan origin.

·          Now the cricket angle is growing. India is the main reason Afghan National team has got test status and many times Afghan team plays their home matches in India.

Whenever I meet an Afghan and discuss about Afghanistan, each & every Afghan would talk mention Durand Line and friendlier attitude of India.